Storage systems and methods for medicines

ABSTRACT

People can damage their medicines by taking them outside in hot or cold weather. On the other hand, some people need to carry their medicines with them wherever they go (even if the weather is extremely hot or cold). Specially constructed storage systems can protect medicines from damage due to hot and cold weather without requiring bulky structures or expensive components that consume electricity to regulate temperature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.15/170,465; filed Jun. 1, 2016; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR MEDICINES.

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.15/161,241; filed May 21, 2016; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR MEDICINES.

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.15/151,457; filed May 10, 2016; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR MEDICINES.

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.15/151,446; filed May 10, 2016; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR MEDICINES.

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/293,691;filed Feb. 10, 2016; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORMEDICINES.

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/849,884; filed Sep. 10, 2015; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR MEDICINES.

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/616,652; filed Feb. 6, 2015; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR MEDICINES.

The entire contents of the following patent application are incorporatedby reference herein: U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.13/896,211; filed May 16, 2013; and entitled STORAGE SYSTEMS AND STORAGEMETHODS FOR INJECTABLE SUBSTANCES.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods tostore medicines. Certain embodiments relate to maintaining medicines ata suitable temperature.

2. Description of Related Art

Users of medicines, such as epinephrine, adrenaline, and insulin, arefaced with a difficult challenge. On one hand, physicians often advisepatients to take their medicines with them wherever they go. Yet on theother hand, the temperature of many medicines typically should bemaintained within a temperature range that is incompatible with outdoortemperatures. For example, a certain injectable substance might need tobe stored within a temperature range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoor temperatures are often colder than 65degrees Fahrenheit or warmer than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result,patients who need injectable substances sometimes must remain indoors,risk going outdoors without the safety of carrying the injectablesubstance, or risk reducing the efficacy of the injectable substance bycarrying it into environments with temperatures outside of therecommended range.

Prior art solutions have included refrigerators set to particulartemperatures to store medicines within a suitable range. (The suitablerange can be the storage range recommended by the manufacturer of themedicine.) Refrigerators require substantial electrical power.Constantly having to plug a refrigerator into a power supply, changingbatteries, or recharging batteries is inconvenient. In addition, userssometimes forget to provide adequate power, which can result in harmingthe medicine, and thereby, creating a health risk to the user. Thus,there is a need for systems and methods to store injectable substanceswithin a suitable temperature range while requiring little or noelectrical power.

Prior art solutions have also included bulky insulation systems that areinconvenient for patients to carry outside. Due to this inconvenience,many patients do not carry vital medicines when they go outside. As aresult, many patients have suffered medical emergencies and somepatients have died. Thus, there is a need for systems and methods thatare convenient enough for patients to carry their medicines outdoors.

SUMMARY

Several embodiments include methods of storing injectable substances,inhalers, pharmaceuticals, or drugs. In some embodiments, the storagesystem includes an outer case; a vacuum flask located inside the outercase; and/or a thermal bank located inside the vacuum flask. Someembodiments include isolating the injectable substance from fluidslocated outside of the injection device.

In some embodiments, the first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit. The first melting temperature can be at least fourdegrees Fahrenheit less than the second melting temperature. Forexample, 74 degrees Fahrenheit can be approximately equal to a typicalroom temperature (although room temperatures commonly range from 67degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in rooms having temperaturecontrolled environments enabled by heating and/or air conditioning).

Using a “temperature dividing line” of 74 degrees Fahrenheit helpsenable some embodiments to avoid inappropriately triggering meltingand/or freezing while the storage system is located in a temperaturecontrolled room. Imagine if the second phase change material had amelting temperature of less than 74 degrees. As a result, the secondphase change material could completely melt before a person even movedthe storage system from a room temperature into a hot outdoorenvironment that is warmer than a maximum recommended storagetemperature of the medicine. In this case, the phase change of thesecond phase change material would not help reduce the rate oftemperature rise inside the first chamber in response to heat transfercaused by the hot environment. Similarly, this “temperature dividingline” helps ensure the first phase change material will have asufficiently low melting temperature such that the first phase changematerial should not solidify before the storage system is moved from aroom temperature to an environment that is colder than a minimumrecommended storage temperature.

In some embodiments, the first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 63 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 83degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, the first phase change materialcan have a first melting temperature greater than 55 degrees Fahrenheitand less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change materialcan have a second melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheitand less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. These melting temperatures can beparticularly effective to create a system that quickly responds (e.g.,by changing phases) to temperature changes caused by leaving an indoorenvironment and entering an outdoor environment. Meridian MedicalTechnologies, Inc. makes a medicine called an EpiPen. EpiPens can have aminimum recommended storage temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and amaximum recommended storage temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Othermedicines often have different minimum and maximum recommended storagetemperatures.

In several embodiments, a medicine storage system is configured toprotect a medicine from a first external temperature less than a minimumrecommended storage temperature and from a second external temperaturegreater than a maximum recommended storage temperature by utilizingphase changes to regulate a temperature of the medicine. Medicinestorage systems can include an outer circular wall; an inner circularwall coupled to the outer circular wall; and a first vacuum chambersystem located between the inner circular wall and the outer circularwall. The first vacuum chamber system can comprise at least one vacuumchamber. In some embodiments, dividing walls couple the outer wall tothe inner wall and separate a first vacuum chamber from a second vacuumchamber.

In some embodiments, medicine storage systems include a first chamber atleast partially surrounded by the first vacuum chamber system; aremovable medicine container located inside the first chamber; and aproximal portion of the medicine storage system. The proximal portioncan comprise an opening to the first chamber. The opening can be coveredby a removable lid. The medicine storage system can be configured suchthat removing the lid enables a user to remove the medicine containerfrom the first chamber.

In several embodiments, the medicine storage system comprises a phasechange system that includes a second chamber having a first phase changematerial and a third chamber having a second phase change material. Thephase change system can be at least partially surrounded by the firstvacuum chamber system such that the first vacuum chamber system isconfigured to insulated the phase change system from an environment thatis external to the medicine storage system. The first phase changematerial can have a first melting temperature greater than 40 degreesFahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phasechange material can have a second melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, a medicine storage system comprises a liner locatedin the first chamber. The liner can surround at least a majority of theremovable medicine container. The liner can be made from a firstmaterial. The first chamber can be made from a second material that isat least two times harder than the first material as measured on theBrinell scale.

In several embodiments, a medicine storage system comprises a first seallocated between the lid and the opening to the first chamber (e.g., suchthat the first seal is configured to block fluid from entering the firstchamber to keep the medicine container dry). The first seal can beconfigured to reduce heat transfer from an internal portion of themedicine storage system to an area outside the medicine storage system.

In some embodiments, the lid is coupled to the proximal portion of themedicine storage system by screw threads. The first seal can becompressed by inserting a portion of the lid into the opening such thatthe first seal is compressed between the portion of the lid and aradially inward protrusion of the opening.

In several embodiments, the medicine storage system comprises a secondseal located between the lid and the opening. The second seal can be aradial seal that is radially compressed between the opening and the lid.A medicine storage system can further comprise an air gap between thefirst seal and the second seal such that (1) the radial seal isconfigured to fluidly isolate the air gap from a proximal portion of theopening and (2) the first seal is configured to fluidly isolate the airgap from at least one of the first chamber and a distal portion of theopening. The second seal can be located proximally relative to the firstseal. The first and second seals can be located distally relative to thescrew threads.

In some embodiments, the lid comprises a groove that faces radiallyoutward. At least one of the first and second seals can comprise aportion located in the groove. The groove can be configured to helpretain at least one seal.

In several embodiments, a third seal is located between a proximal endof the opening and a distally facing surface of the lid. The third sealcan be compressed between the proximal end and the distally facingsurface. The third seal can be located proximally relative to the firstand second seals. The first, second, and third seals can be molded fromrubber materials.

In some embodiments, the lid comprises a second vacuum chamber. Thesecond vacuum chamber can be fluidly isolated from the first vacuumchamber system such that screwing the lid onto the proximal portion ofthe medicine storage system rotates the second vacuum chamber relativeto the first vacuum chamber system. The lid can comprise a metal wallhaving a port that is welded closed. The port can be used to remove agas from the second vacuum chamber. Then, the port can be welded closed.The second vacuum chamber can be located within the metal wall. The lidcan further comprise insulation that surrounds at least a majority ofthe second vacuum chamber. The second vacuum chamber can be spherical,cylindrical, or any suitable shape.

In several embodiments, the second chamber and the third chamber arelocated radially outward from the first chamber relative to a firstcentral axis of the first chamber. The third chamber can be locatedradially outward from the second chamber (e.g., relative to the firstcentral axis). The second chamber can be located radially outward fromthe third chamber (e.g., relative to the first central axis).

In some embodiments, the medicine storage system comprising arecommended storage temperature. For example, a manufacturer of themedicine storage system can recommend a temperature range at which tostore the medicine storage system. In some cases, this recommendedstorage temperature can be “room temperature” and/or a temperature rangewithin plus or minus 20 degrees of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Themanufacturer can include this recommended storage temperature in alocation in which customers will see the recommended storagetemperature. The recommended storage temperature can be located on themedicine storage system (e.g., printed on the storage system). Therecommended storage temperature can be located on packaging of themedicine storage system (e.g., a box in which a storage system isshipped or placed on a retail shelf). The recommended storagetemperature can be located on instructions included with the medicinestorage system (e.g., an instruction sheet or instruction booklet thatexplains how to use the storage system). The recommended storagetemperature can be located on a website and/or in an instructionalvideo.

In several embodiments, the first, second, and third chambers (of themedicine storage system) are concentric. The removable medicinecontainer can be an injection device having epinephrine (e.g., anEpiPen). The recommended storage temperature can be greater than thefirst melting temperature and less than the second melting temperaturesuch that the medicine storage system is configured such that when themedicine storage system is stored for one week in an environment havingthe recommended storage temperature, the first phase change material isliquid and the second phase change material is solid.

In some embodiments, the first chamber extends from the proximal portiontowards a distal portion of the medicine storage system such that thefirst chamber is at least as long as a majority of a length between aproximal end of the medicine storage system and a distal end of themedicine storage system.

In several embodiments, the first chamber comprises a first centralaxis, the second chamber comprises a second central axis, the thirdchamber comprises a third central axis, and the second and third centralaxes are within 15 degrees of being parallel to the first central axisof the first chamber.

In some embodiments, the vacuum chamber has a smaller outer diameter inthe proximal portion of the medicine storage system than in the distalportion of the medicine storage system. The vacuum chamber can extendfarther proximally than the second and third chambers such that at leasta portion of the opening is surrounded by the vacuum chamber but is notsurrounded by the second and third chambers.

In several embodiments, a first portion of the lid is located radiallyinward relative to a portion of the vacuum chamber, and a second portionof the lid is located radially outward relative to the portion of thevacuum chamber.

In some embodiments, a proximal portion of the second chamber tapersradially inward and a proximal portion of the third chamber tapersinward to enable the vacuum chamber to have the smaller outer diameterin the proximal portion of the medicine storage system than in thedistal portion of the medicine storage system.

In several embodiments, the medicine storage system comprises a radiallyinward protrusion located between the opening and the first chamber. Thelid can comprise a seal compressed between a portion of the lid and theradially inward protrusion (to block fluid from entering the firstchamber to keep the medicine container dry).

In some embodiments, at least a majority of the opening and at least amajority of the first chamber are isodiametric.

In several embodiments, at least a majority of the opening has diametersthat are 10 percent to 65 percent larger than diameters of at least amajority of the first chamber.

In some embodiments, the first chamber comprises a first central axis,the second chamber comprises a second central axis, the third chambercomprises a third central axis, and the second and third central axesare within 15 degrees of being parallel to the first central axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described belowwith reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate but notto limit the invention. In the drawings, like reference charactersdenote corresponding features consistently throughout similarembodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a medicine storage system, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a medicine storage systemalong line 3-3 from FIG. 2, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that a phasechange system is shown, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a medicine at least partiallysurrounded by a phase change system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a proximal retention member,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of a proximal retention member,according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate perspective views of a distal retentionmember, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system havingPCM chambers in tubular containers that extend from a distal portion ofthe medicine storage system to a proximal portion of the medicinestorage system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that a phasechange system is shown, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a container without a lid,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of a medicine and a phase changesystem, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of a distal retention member, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a distal retention member,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of a distal retention member, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a container without a lid,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 21 illustrates a bottom view of a phase change system, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 22 illustrates a bottom view of a retention member, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of a phase change system that includes aretention member and dome-shaped PCM chambers, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 24 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that a phasechange system is shown, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of dome-shaped PCM chambers, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of many PCM chambers, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 27 illustrates dome-shaped PCM chambers prior to each half of eachPCM chamber being coupled together, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 28-30 illustrate various perspective views of a retention memberhaving a tube, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 31 illustrates a bottom view of a phase change system that includesa retention member that has radially outward protrusions that separatecontainers having PCM chambers, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 32 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 33 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that a phasechange system is shown and the lid is hidden, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 34-34 fromFIG. 35, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 35 illustrates a side view of a container having a PCM chamber,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 36 illustrates a bottom view of four containers, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective view of containers shown in FIG. 36,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 38 illustrates a top view of a retention member, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 39 illustrates a perspective view of a retention member, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system thatincludes a tubular retention member that has holes to promote airflowand heat transfer from an area having the medicine to an area having thePCM chambers, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 41 illustrates a perspective view of a bag filled with PCM andinserted into a cavity of a retention member, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 42 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that a phasechange system is shown, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 43 illustrates a side view of a tubular retention member, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 44 illustrates a top view of a tubular retention member, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 45 illustrates a perspective view of a tubular retention member,according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 46-48 illustrate various views of PCM chambers made from ahighly-flexible, multi-layer barrier film sheet having blister-stylebags filled with PCM and hermetically sealed to prevent leakage orintrusion, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 49 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system that hasa radially offset cavity to hold medicine, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 50 illustrates a top view of the phase change system shown in FIG.49, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 51 illustrates a top view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 52 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 52-52 inFIG. 51, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 53 illustrates a perspective view of two containers, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 54 illustrates a top view of PCM containers, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 55 illustrates a perspective view of a retention member, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 56 illustrates a top view of a retention member, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 57 illustrates a perspective view of a medicine storage systemhaving a flexible outer housing, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 58 illustrates a top view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 59 illustrates a side view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 60 illustrates a front view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 61 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 61-61 shownin FIG. 60, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 62 illustrates a top view of PCM chambers, which can be located inpouches, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 63 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 64 illustrates a perspective view of insulation and a zipper,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 65 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 65-65 fromFIG. 64, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 66 illustrates a top view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIGS. 67 and 68 illustrate side views of a medicine storage system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 69 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 69-69 fromFIG. 68, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 70 illustrates a perspective view of a medicine storage system in adisassembled state, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 71 illustrates a side view of a tube, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 72 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 72-72 fromFIG. 71, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 73 illustrates an enlarged view of the area indicated by circle Min FIG. 72, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 74 illustrates a perspective view of a spring assembly, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 75 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of a lid, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 76 illustrates a side view of a lid, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 77 illustrates an enlarged view of the area indicated by circle Rin FIG. 78, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 78 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 78-78 fromFIG. 76, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 79 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 80 illustrates a perspective view of a disassembled medicinestorage system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 81 illustrates a side view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 82 illustrates an enlarged view of the area indicated by circle AAin FIG. 83, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 83 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 83-83 fromFIG. 81, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 84 illustrates a side view of a medicine storage system, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 85 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 85-85 fromFIG. 84, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventivesubject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments toother alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications andequivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto isnot limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. Forexample, in any method or process disclosed herein, the acts oroperations of the method or process may be performed in any suitablesequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosedsequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discreteoperations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understandingcertain embodiments; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described hereinmay be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.

For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects andadvantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all suchaspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus,for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as mayalso be taught or suggested herein. The features of each embodiment canbe combined with the other embodiments.

People can damage their medicines by taking them outside in hot or coldweather. On the other hand, some people need to carry their medicineswith them wherever they go (even if the weather is extremely hot orcold). Specially constructed storage systems can protect medicines fromdamage due to hot and cold weather without requiring bulky structures orexpensive components that consume electricity to regulate temperature.

Any of the embodiments illustrated herein and/or incorporated byreference can include a storage system comprising a phase change system;a first container configured to hold at least a portion of the phasechange system; and a first chamber located within the first containerand configured to hold a medicine. As explained herein, phase changesystems can comprise a first phase change material and/or a second phasechange material. The first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the phase change system can protect themedicine from temperatures above and below room temperature.

Refrigeration systems typically are large, expensive, fragile, and useelectricity to regulate temperature. In contrast, phase change systemscan be configured to protect medicine from a first external temperatureless than a minimum recommended storage temperature and from a secondexternal temperature greater than a maximum recommended storagetemperature by utilizing phase changes to regulate a temperature of themedicine. Because phase change systems do not require electronics andpumps, they are very robust and can be built for a small fraction of thecost of refrigeration systems. Imagine a child who needs an epinephrineinjector having to carry even a small refrigerator wherever she goes toprevent hot temperatures from ruining her potentially life-savingepinephrine.

In stark contrast, the child could easily carry a medicine storagesystem that relies on the phase change systems described herein, whichcan even be designed to protect against both hot and cold temperaturesto eliminate the need for the child to have to guess which temperatureprotection components she will need for a trip. For example, if thechild goes camping, she may need to protect her medicine against bothhot afternoon temperatures and cold nighttime temperatures.

Containers can come in many different shapes and sizes. Some containersare vacuum flasks. Vacuum flasks can prevent high heat transfer rates toenable minimizing the amount of phase change material necessary toadequately protect a medicine. Thus, the system can be smaller thanwould be the case without a vacuum flask.

On the other hand, vacuum flasks often have rigid outer walls, which canmake carrying them uncomfortable. Some containers are compliant bagswith flexible walls. Compliant bags can be very comfortable to carry.Their flexible outer walls can facilitate fitting them into backpacksand purses (by enabling them to conform to various shapes).

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a storage system 700. FIG. 1 shows amedicine 702 (e.g., an EpiPen). A lid 704 can be removed (e.g.,unscrewed) from the container 706 to facilitate placing the medicine 702include the storage system 700.

FIG. 1 illustrates one shape of the medicine 702, but the embodimentsdescribed herein and/or incorporated by reference can be adapted to fitmedicines of many different shapes and sizes. For example, U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884, which isincorporated by reference herein, includes many storage systems such asstorage systems 10, 11, 12, 200, 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300, 400, 500. Many different types of storagesystems are described herein such as storage systems 700, 700 a, 700 b,700 d, 700 e, 700 f, 700 h, 700 i, 700 k, 700 m. These storage systemsand additional storage systems can be adapted to fit medicines of manydifferent shapes and sizes.

In some embodiments, the medicine 702 is in a shape that is rectangularlike a credit card, but is thicker than a credit card (e.g., 2millimeters to 15 millimeters thick). The storage systems can be adaptedto fit these rectangular shapes. In some embodiments, the medicine 702is a generally cylindrical bottle and/or the shape of an inhaler.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the storage system 700. FIG. 3illustrates a cross-sectional view of the storage system 700 along line3-3 from FIG. 2. The storage system 700 can include a vacuum chamber 708formed by an inner wall 710 and an outer wall 712 (such that the vacuumchamber 708 is located between the walls 710, 712). The inner wall 710and the outer wall 712 can be cylindrical or any other suitable shape.

The vacuum chamber 708 can at least partially surround a chamber 720that holds the medicine 702. As illustrated in FIG. 3, an opening in thechamber 720 is plugged by the lid 704.

Insulating spacers 714 can couple an outer wall 712 of the vacuumchamber 708 to an outer insulated layer 716, which can be rigid orflexible. Some embodiments do not include the inner wall 710, the outerwall 712, and the vacuum chamber 708 (e.g., to facilitate making astorage system that is more flexible).

Some embodiments use portions (e.g., the insulation 716) that are madeusing rotational molding to create hollow parts. The hollow portions canbe filled with insulation (e.g., injected with foam insulation).Portions (e.g., exterior walls) can be made from polyethylene.

Some embodiments use containers that are blow-molded. These blow-moldedcontainers can form PCM chambers, which can hold phase change materials.The phase change materials can have any of the melting temperaturesdescribed herein or any other suitable melting temperature. Somecontainers have one, two, three, five, ten, or any other suitable numberof PCM chambers.

Many embodiments of phase change systems can be added to the storagesystem 700. In several embodiments, the phase change systems are addedsuch that they are located inside the container 706, inside the outerinsulated layer 716, and/or inside the vacuum chamber 708.

One challenge of inserting a phase change system is that the width 724of the neck 722 leading into the chamber 720 can be narrower than adistal portion of the chamber 720. As a result, some phase changesystems cannot fit through the neck 722. The phase change systemembodiments described herein use unique structures and assemblytechniques to enable them to fit through the neck 722. As a result, thesystems are highly space efficient and enable cost-effective high-volumemanufacturing.

The phase change systems described herein can be added to the storagesystem 700 shown in FIG. 3 and to the storage system 700 i shown in FIG.57. The phase change systems described herein can comprise a first phasechange material and/or a second phase change material. The first phasechange material can have a first melting temperature greater than 40degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phasechange material can have a second melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the phasechange system can protect the medicine from temperatures above and belowroom temperature.

The phase change systems described herein can comprise a first phasechange material having a first melting temperature greater than 40degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit; a second phasechange material having a second melting temperature greater than thefirst melting temperature and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit; a thirdphase change material having a third melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit; and/or a fourthphase change material having a fourth melting temperature greater thanthe third melting temperature and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system 734 aconfigured to hold any combination of the phase change materialsdescribed herein. The phase change system 734 a includes a proximalretention member 736 and a distal retention member 738 that secure phasechange material (“PCM”) chambers 742 around a perimeter of a chamber 740configured to hold the medicine 702.

Each PCM chamber 742 can be filled with any of the phase changematerials described herein (or incorporated by reference) and can besealed to prevent leaking. The PCM chambers 742 can be hollow moldedplastic tubes filled with PCM and then sealed.

The PCM chambers 742 can be hollow metal tubes filled with PCM and thenhermetically sealed by a lid. The PCM chambers 742 can be made fromaluminum, tin, steel, or any other suitable metal. The lid can becoupled to the tube using the same processes used to couple a lid to analuminum soda can. The lid can be coupled to the tube by an “open topcan sealer” sold by House of Cans, Inc. The can sealer can be manual orelectric.

The lid can include protrusions to strengthen the lid. For example, thelid does not need to be flat, but instead can include ridges, bumps, andprotrusions to strengthen the lid. Strengthening the lid can help makethe PCM chamber 742 strong enough to tolerate the expansion andcontraction typical of freezing and thawing PCMs.

The PCM chambers 742 can be formed by computer numerical control (“CNC”)machining with wall thicknesses between 0.3 millimeters and 1.5millimeters.

The PCM chambers 742 can be formed using processes typically used toform aluminum soda cans. Example processes include blanking, deepdrawing, wall-ironing, end forming, trimming, washing, outside coating(e.g., to protect against corrosion), printing, drying, internal coating(e.g., to protect the metal and/or to protect the PCM fromcontamination), necking, flanging, end coating, testing for holes, andtesting for internal defects. The PCM chambers 742 can be made fromaluminum and then coated to guard against corrosion.

In some embodiments, the PCM chambers 742 have a diameter of at least 8millimeters, at least 12 millimeters, less than 22 millimeters, and/orless than 30 millimeters. In some embodiments, the PCM chambers 742 havea length of at least 40 millimeters, at least 80 millimeters, less than170 millimeters, and/or less than 185 millimeters.

The distal retention member 738 can be molded from compliant rubber thatenables the distal retention member 738 to deform to enable a person toinsert each PCM chamber.

FIG. 5 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that thephase change system 734 a is shown. The storage system 700 a can beassembled by inserting the distal retention member 738, inserting eachPCM chamber 724 (e.g., one at a time), and then securing the proximalends of the PCM chambers 724 by pressing the proximal retention member736 through the neck 722 (labeled in FIG. 3). The proximal retentionmember 736 can be molded from flexible rubber to enable the proximalretention member to deform elastically to a small enough shape to fitthrough the neck 722. Then, once the proximal retention member 736 hasmoved distally past the neck 722, the proximal retention member 736 canspring back to essentially its original shape.

Phase change materials can be held in many different types ofcontainers. Some embodiments use molded plastic containers to hold phasechange materials. A phase change material can be poured into a container(e.g., while the phase change material is in a liquid state). Thecontainer can be sealed with a plastic lid that is coupled to theopening of the container.

Some embodiments use film pouches to hold phase change materials. Thepouches can be hermetically sealed to prevent leakage.

The surface area of the container can be increased by molding fins,valleys, detents, concave features, convex features, etc. into the wallsof the container. Increasing the surface area of the container's wallscan increase the rate of heat transfer to and from the phase changematerial inside the container, which can reduce temperature differencesbetween the medicine and the phase change material.

Vesl, LLC, which has an office in Melbourne, Fla., makes the followingcontainers to hold a wide variety of phase change materials: BlockVesl(a stackable container with domed walls to increase heat transfer),MacroVesl (a blow-molded sphere having many chambers that hold phasechange materials), MicroVesl (a spherical container having a multi-layerpolymer structure), PackVesl (a highly flexible pouch made from multiplelayered film and hermetically sealed to prevent leakage or intrusion),TubeVesl (a tube sealed with a lid), CanVesl (a metal cylinder), andMatVesl (a multi-layer barrier film sheet having blisters filled withPCM).

Phase Change Energy Solutions, which has an office in Asheboro, N.C.,also makes containers that hold phase change material. MicrotekLaboratories, Inc., having an office in Dayton, Ohio, also makescontainers that hold phase change material.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system 734 bhaving PCM chambers 742 in tubular containers that extend from a distalportion of the storage system 700 b to a proximal portion of the storagesystem 700 b (as shown in FIG. 12).

As used herein, “extends” means to continue in a specified direction orover a specified distance, but unless stated otherwise, typically doesnot mean to become longer.

The PCM chambers can alternate between a first PCM and a second PCMaround the perimeter of the distal retention member 738 b. For example,a first PCM chamber 742 can include a first phase change material, asecond PCM chamber 742 that is adjacent to the first PCM chamber 742 caninclude a second phase change material with a higher melting temperaturethan the first phase change material, and a third PCM chamber 742 thatis adjacent to the second PCM chamber 742 can include the first phasechange material.

FIG. 12 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that thephase change system 734 b is shown. FIG. 13 illustrates a perspectiveview of the container 706 without the lid 704 (shown in FIG. 1). Thedistal retention member 738 b can be molded from a flexible material(such as a rubber with a hardness of 60 to 95 shore A). An inner wall(e.g., a portion of an inner hoop) can flex radially inward as shown bythe arrow in FIG. 13. This elastic deformation can enable inserting aPCM chamber container through a narrow neck.

FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of the phase change system 734 b.FIGS. 15-17 illustrate various views of the distal retention member 738b shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIGS. 4-79, in some embodiments, a medicine storage systemcomprises an insulated container having an opening; a first lidconfigured to cover the opening; a phase change system located insidethe insulated container; a medicine storage area located inside theinsulated container; and a first retention member located inside theinsulated container and configured to prevent the phase change systemfrom blocking access to the medicine storage area. The storage systemcan be configured to provide access for inserting a medicine through theopening and into the medicine storage area.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, 11-14, 18-21, 31-37, and 49-54, in severalembodiments, the phase change system comprises a first tube having afirst phase change material and a second tube having a second phasechange material. The first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit.

The PCM chambers 742, 742 e, 742 h in FIGS. 4-6, 11-14, 18-21, 31-37,49, 50, and 52-54 are located inside hollow metal tubes at leastpartially filled with PCM and sealed with a lid. The metal tubes can beextruded and/or machined tubes. The tubes can have any suitable shape.The tubes can have circular cross sections, crescent cross sections,and/or triangular cross sections. In some embodiments, the tube shapevaries along a central axis of the tube such that a first cross sectionat one distance from a distal end of the tube has a different shape thana second cross section at another distance from the distal end.

Referring mainly to FIG. 5, but also to FIGS. 4, 6, 11-14, 18-21, 31-37,and 49-54, the insulated container comprises a proximal portion and adistal portion. The distal portion is located farther from the opening(covered by the lid 704 in FIG. 5) than the proximal portion. The firstretention member (e.g., 738, 738 b, 738 c, 738 e, 738 h) can be locatedinside the insulated container 706 in the distal portion. The firstretention member can comprise a protrusion (e.g., 701) between the firsttube and the second tube.

In some embodiments, the storage system comprises a second retentionmember (e.g., 736) located inside the insulated container and configuredto prevent the phase change system from blocking access to the medicinestorage area. The insulated container can comprise a central axis. Thesecond retention member can be located inside the insulated container inthe proximal portion. The first and second retention members can holdthe first and second tubes within 30 degrees of parallel to the centralaxis (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5).

In several embodiments, the insulated container comprises a centralaxis. The storage system can have a plurality of tubes comprising thefirst tube and the second tube. The plurality of tubes can be spacedaround an outer perimeter of the medicine storage area such that theplurality of tubes are located radially outward, relative to the centralaxis, from the medicine storage area (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4-6, 11,12, 14, 18-21, and 31-33).

In some embodiments, the first retention member secures the plurality oftubes radially outward from the medicine storage area and radiallyinward from an inner wall of a vacuum chamber that insulates theinsulated container (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4-6, 11, 12, 14, 18-21, and31-33). The first retention member can comprise a cavity. The centralaxis of the insulated container can pass through the cavity. The cavitycan comprise a portion of the medicine storage area (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 4-6, 11, 12, 14, 18-21, and 31-33). The first tube can be orientedwithin 30 degrees of parallel to the central axis. The second tube canbe oriented within 30 degrees of parallel to the first tube. In someembodiments, the tubes are oriented parallel to the central axis (e.g.,as shown in FIGS. 4-6, 11, 12, 14, 18-21, and 31-33).

In several embodiments, the first retention member comprises aprotrusion oriented radially outward relative to the central axis. Theprotrusion can be located between the first tube and the second tube.

Referring now to FIGS. 20, 21, 50, and 52, in some embodiments, thefirst retention member 738 h comprises a first wall 705 c, 705 h locatedbetween the inner wall 710 and the first tube (e.g., 742 h). The firstretention member 738 h can comprise a second wall 707 c, 707 h locatedbetween the first tube and the medicine storage area (e.g., 750).

In several embodiments, the first retention member comprises a firsthoop 709 c and a second hoop 709 c. The first tube can be located atleast partially in the first hoop. The second tube can be located atleast partially in the second hoop.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-56 and 69-79, in some embodiments, retentionmembers (e.g., 736, 738, 738 b, 738 c, 738 d, 738 e, 738 f, 738 h, 753,781) can deform to fit through a narrow opening of the insulatedcontainer. Once inside the insulated container, the retention memberscan spring back to a larger shape (than could fit through the openingwithout deformation). The first retention member can comprise a maximumdiameter measured radially outward relative to the central axis. Theopening can comprise a minimum diameter measured radially outwardrelative to the central axis. The maximum diameter of the firstretention member can be larger than the minimum diameter of the opening.The first retention member can be configured to change shape in areversible manner to reduce the maximum diameter to enable inserting thefirst retention member through the opening. The first retention membercan be configured to return to a shape having the maximum diameter afterthe first retention member has passed through the opening.

In several embodiments, the first tube comprises a first cylindricalportion at least partially filled with the first phase change material,and the second tube comprises a second cylindrical portion at leastpartially filled with the second phase change material. The first tubecan be oriented parallel to the central axis, and the second tube can beoriented parallel to the central axis.

Referring now to FIGS. 31-37 and 49-54, in some embodiments, the firsttube comprises outer dimensions characterized by a thickness and awidth. The first tube has a maximum thickness measured in a directionradially outward from the central axis of the insulated container. Thefirst tube comprises a maximum width measured perpendicular to themaximum thickness and perpendicular to the central axis. In severalembodiments, the maximum width is at least two times larger than themaximum thickness.

Referring now to FIGS. 31-37, the first tube can be a portion of a wedgeshape (e.g., with rounded edges). This shape can help fit several tubesaround a perimeter of a circle or oval shaped medicine storage area.

The tube can include a lid configured to cover an opening to the tube.The lid can be laser welded to the tube. The lid can be coupled to thetube using processes used to attach lids to aluminum soda cans and/orprocesses used to attach lids to “tin cans” (which can be made fromsteel, aluminum, tin, or any other suitable metal).

In some embodiments, the first tube comprises at least one of fins,valleys, and detents (e.g., as shown in FIG. 31) configured increase asurface area of the first tube to promote heat transfer. The firstretention member can comprise ventilation channels configured to enableairflow between the medicine storage area and the phase change system.

Referring now to FIGS. 49-54, in several embodiments, the insulatedcontainer comprises a first central axis, the first tube comprises asecond central axis, the second tube comprises a third central axis, andthe medicine comprises a fourth central axis. The first retention membercan orient the second, third, and fourth central axes within 30 degreesof parallel to the first central axis of the insulated container (e.g.,as shown in FIG. 49-52). The second, third, and fourth central axes canbe located radially outward relative to the first central axis of theinsulated container (e.g., as shown in FIG. 50 where the retentionmember 738 h is concentric with the central axis of the insulatedcontainer shown in FIGS. 51 and 52).

In some embodiments, the first tube comprises a cross section that isperpendicular to the second central axis. As shown in FIG. 52, the crosssection can have three outermost points 711 that form a triangle. Walls713 of the first tube that connect the three outermost points 711 can beat least one of straight and curved. As shown in FIG. 52, the tubes area portion of a crescent shape. The tubes have a cross section that is aportion of a crescent shape.

FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of a phase change system 734 d thatincludes a retention member 738 d (which includes a tube 729) anddome-shaped PCM chambers 742 d. In some embodiments, the PCM-chambers742 d are MicroVesls (a spherical container having a multi-layer polymerstructure) made by Vesl, LLC. The dome-shaped PCM chambers 742 d caninclude fins, ridges, detents, and/or valleys configured to increase thesurface area of the PCM chambers 742 d to promote rapid heat transferfrom the PCMs to the medicine.

FIG. 24 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that thephase change system 734 d is shown. The dome-shaped PCM chambers 742 dare located (e.g., captured) between a wall 744 of the retention member738 d and the inner wall 710 of the vacuum chamber 708. Many embodimentsinclude more PCM chambers 742 d than are shown in FIG. 24. (Not all ofthe PCM chambers 742 d are labeled in the figures.) An inner portion ofthe retention member 738 d is a chamber 44 to hold the medicine 702(shown in FIG. 1).

The retention member 738 d can be more flexible than the containers thatform the PCM chambers 742 d such that a proximal portion of theretention member 738 d in the neck area of the storage system 700 d canelastically deform radially inward (as shown by arrow 478). When theproximal portion of the retention member 738 d is deformed radiallyinward, the PCM chambers 742 d can be inserted in the area between thewall 744 (of the retention member 738 d) and the vacuum chamber 708. ThePCM chambers 742 d can be free to move relative to each other (e.g.,“rattle around”).

FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of dome-shaped PCM chambers 742 d. FIG.26 illustrates a perspective view of many PCM chambers 742d. FIG. 27illustrates the dome-shaped PCM chambers 742 d prior to each half 741 ofeach PCM chamber 742 d being coupled together (as indicated by thearrows in FIG. 27). Each PCM chamber 742 d can be filled with PCM. Then,the two sides of the PCM chamber 742 d can be coupled together (e.g.,via a heating process).

FIGS. 28-30 illustrate various perspective views of the retention member738 d. A distal portion of the retention member 738 d can be wider thanthe neck's width 724 (shown in FIG. 3), but can be flexible to enableelastic deformation. This elastic deformation permits the distal portionof the retention member 738 d to move through the neck 722 (shown inFIG. 3) and then spring radially outward to a width that is wider thanthe width 724 of the neck 722.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-30, in several embodiments, a medicine storagesystem 700 d comprises an insulated container 706 having an opening; afirst lid 704, 704 k (shown in FIGS. 3 and 67) configured to cover theopening; a phase change system 734 d located inside the insulatedcontainer; a medicine storage area (e.g., 44) located inside theinsulated container; and a first retention member 738 d located insidethe insulated container 706 and configured to prevent the phase changesystem 734 d from blocking access to the medicine storage area. Forexample, if the PCM chambers 742 d fall into the medicine storage area,the PCM chambers 742 d can block a user from inserting the medicine intothe medicine storage area (which can be a cavity inside the tube 729).As shown in FIG. 24, the storage system 700 d can be configured toprovide access for inserting a medicine through the opening and into themedicine storage area.

The spheres shown in FIG. 25 are containers that form PCM chambers 742d. The phase change system 734 d (shown in FIGS. 23 and 24) comprises afirst container having a first phase change material and a secondcontainer having a second phase change material. The first and secondcontainers can be spherical, cylindrical, or any other suitable shape.The first phase change material can have a first melting temperaturegreater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit.The second phase change material can have a second melting temperaturegreater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, the first retention member comprises a tube 729located inside the insulated container 706 such that the tube 729 is influid communication with the opening. The storage system 700 d can beconfigured to enable inserting the medicine through the opening and intothe tube 729. The tube 729 can extend from a distal portion of theinsulated container 706 to a proximal portion of the insulated container706. The first and second containers can be located between an innerwall 710 of the insulated container and an outer wall of the tube 729.

In several embodiments, the storage system further comprises a pluralityof containers at least partially filled with at least one of the firstphase change material and the second phase change material. As shown inFIGS. 23, 24, and 26, the plurality of containers are not coupled toeach other such that the plurality of containers are movable within anarea between the inner wall 710 of the insulated container and the outerwall of the tube 729.

FIG. 31 illustrates a bottom view of a phase change system 734 e thatincludes a retention member 738 e that has radially outward protrusionsthat separate containers having PCM chambers 742 e. The containershaving PCM chambers 742 e can include fins, valleys, detents, and otherfeatures to increase the surface area of the PCM chambers 742 e (topromote heat transfer).

The retention member 738 e can be more flexible than the containershaving PCM chambers 742 e to enable the retention member 738 e to deformduring insertion of the containers having PCM chambers 742 e through theneck 722 and into an interior portion of the storage system 700 e (shownin FIG. 33). In some embodiments, the containers having PCM chambers 742e are flexible to enable the PCM chambers 742 e to deform duringinsertion of the containers having PCM chambers 742 e through the neck722 and into an interior portion of the storage system 700 e.

FIG. 32 illustrates a perspective view of the phase change system 734 e.FIG. 33 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that thephase change system 734 e is shown and the lid 704 is hidden. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 33 can use the lid 704 k shown in FIGS. 66, 69,70, and 75-78.

FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 34-34 fromFIG. 35. FIG. 34 shows that the surface area is increased by the surfacefeatures of the container having the PCM chamber 742 e. FIG. 35illustrates a side view of the container having the PCM chamber 742 e.FIG. 36 illustrates a bottom view of four containers. Each container hasat least one PCM chamber 742 e. FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective viewof the containers shown in FIG. 36. FIG. 38 illustrates a top view ofthe retention member 738 e shown in FIGS. 31-33. FIG. 39 illustrates aperspective view of the retention member 738 e.

FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system 734 fthat includes a retention member 738 f that has holes to promote airflowand heat transfer from an area having the medicine 702 (shown in FIG. 3)to an area having the PCM chambers 742 f and/or the PCM chambers 742 g.The PCM chambers 742 f and/or the PCM chambers 742 g can fit inside acavity 748 of the retention member 738 f (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 41 and42).

The PCM chamber 742 f can be a highly flexible pouch made from multiplelayered film, filled with PCM, and hermetically sealed to preventleakage or intrusion (e.g., a PackVesl made by Vesl, LLC). The PCMchamber 742 g can be a highly-flexible, multi-layer barrier film sheethaving blisters filled with PCM and hermetically sealed to preventleakage or intrusion (e.g., a MatVesl made by Vesl, LLC).

The PCM chamber 742 g can be any suitable dimension. In someembodiments, each pouch (e.g., each PCM chamber 742 g) can have a widthof at least 15 millimeters and/or less than 45 millimeters. In someembodiments, each pouch (e.g., each PCM chamber 742 g) can have a lengthof at least 30 millimeters, less than 80 millimeters, and/or less than200 millimeters.

The PCM chamber 742 f can be much larger than the PCM chamber 742 g. Insome embodiments, the PCM chamber 742 f has a width of at least 40millimeters and/or less than 150 millimeters. In several embodiments,the PCM chamber 742 f has a length of at least 80 millimeters and/orless than 200 millimeters.

FIG. 41 illustrates a perspective view of a pouch filled with PCMinserted into a cavity 748 of the retention member 738 f. The PCMchambers 742 f, 742 g shown in FIG. 40 can be inserted into the cavity748 as shown in FIG. 41.

FIG. 42 illustrates the same cross section as FIG. 3 except that thephase change system 734 f is shown. FIGS. 43-45 illustrate various viewsof the retention member 738 f. FIGS. 46-48 illustrate various views ofPCM chambers 742 g made from a highly-flexible, multi-layer barrier filmsheet having blisters filled with PCM and hermetically sealed to preventleakage or intrusion (e.g., a MatVesl made by Vesl, LLC).

Referring now to FIG. 47, some of the chambers 742 g can be filled witha first PCM and some of the chambers 742 g can be filled with a secondPCM that has a different melting temperature than the meltingtemperature of the first PCM. In several embodiments, some of thechambers 742 g are filled with PureTemp 18 (having a melting temperatureof approximately 18 degrees Celsius) and some of the chambers 742 g arefilled with PureTemp 28 (having a melting temperature of approximately28 degrees Celsius). Thus, one flexible sheet can contain pouches havingtwo different types of PCMs that are fluidly isolated from each otherbut are mechanically coupled.

At least one of the PCMs can be colored (e.g., via a dye) to help peoplevisually differentiate one PCM type having a first color from anotherPCM type having a second color. Thus, factory workers can see what typeof PCM is located in a chamber 742 g of a clear pouch.

Referring now to FIG. 40, several embodiments include a first flexiblesheet with PCM chambers 742 g (e.g., having a first PCM type) andinclude a second flexible sheet with PCM chambers 742 g (e.g., having asecond PCM type). Both flexible sheets can be held in place by aretention member 738 f such that the flexible sheets are located atleast partially between the retention member 738 f and an inner wall 710of a vacuum flask (e.g., as shown in FIG. 42).

FIG. 49 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system 734 hthat has an offset hole to hold the medicine 702. FIG. 50 illustrates atop view of the phase change system 734 h shown in FIG. 49. The hole(e.g., a cavity 750) in which at least a portion of the medicine islocated is radially offset from a center of the storage system 700 hshown in FIG. 52.

FIG. 51 illustrates a top view of the storage system 700 h. FIG. 52illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 52-52 in FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 illustrates a perspective view of two containers. Each containerincludes a PCM chamber 742 h. The PCM chambers 742h can have PCMs withthe same melting temperature or different melting temperatures. FIG. 54illustrates a top view of the containers shown in FIG. 53. FIG. 55illustrates a perspective view of the retention member 738 h shown inFIG. 49. FIG. 56 illustrates a top view of the retention member 738 hshown in FIG. 49.

Any of the embodiments described herein can include a rigid outerhousing or a flexible outer housing. In some cases, people prefer aflexible outer housing. In some cases, people prefer a rigid outerhousing.

FIG. 57 illustrates a perspective view of a storage system 700 i havinga flexible outer housing, which can be made from fabric, rubber,neoprene, urethane, vinyl, nylon, and/or polyester. In some embodiments,the outer housing is thermoplastic polyurethane coated nylon with radiofrequency welded seams. The storage system 700 i can also includeethylene vinyl acetate foam.

The storage system 700 i includes a waterproof zipper 746. Opening thezipper 746 provides access to the medicine chamber 44 i shown in FIG.61. FIG. 58 illustrates a top view of the storage system 700 i. FIG. 59illustrates a side view of the storage system 700 i. FIG. 60 illustratesa front view of the storage system 700 i.

FIG. 61 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 61-61 shownin FIG. 60. Embodiments of the storage system 700 i can include a firstPCM on a first side of the medicine 702 and a second PCM on a secondside of the medicine 702. The embodiment shown in FIG. 61 includes PCMin PCM chambers 742 j, 742 m, which can have lower melting temperaturesthan PCM in PCM chambers 742 i, 742 n. PCM in PCM chambers 742 j, 742 mcan have melting temperatures greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit andless than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. PCM in PCM chambers 742 i, 742 n canhave melting temperatures greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

PCM in PCM chambers 742 i, 742 n can be located radially outward fromPCM in PCM chambers 742 j, 742 m such that, at 74 degrees Fahrenheit(e.g., room temperature), the PCM at least partially surrounding thechamber 44 i having the medicine 702 is liquid and the PCM locatedradially outward from the liquid PCM is frozen. In some cases, thisconfiguration is advantageous because the medicine 702 and/or the user'sfingers are protected from frozen PCM (which is hard) by liquid PCM(which is comfortably compliant).

FIG. 62 illustrates a top view of the PCM chambers 742 i, 742 n, 742 j,742 m, which can be located in pouches. The pouches can be made frommultiple layered film, filled with PCM, and hermetically sealed toprevent leakage or intrusion (e.g., a PackVesl made by Vesl, LLC). ThePCM chambers 742 i, 742 n, 742 j, 742 m can be formed by ahighly-flexible, multi-layer barrier film sheet having blisters filledwith PCM and hermetically sealed to prevent leakage or intrusion (e.g.,a MatVesl made by Vesl, LLC). FIG. 63 illustrates a perspective view ofthe phase change system 734 i.

FIG. 64 illustrates a perspective view of the insulation 716 i and thezipper 746. FIG. 65 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line65-65 from FIG. 64.

FIGS. 66-79 illustrate various embodiments that can be combined with anyfeatures, elements, structures, assemblies, chemistries, steps, methods,and innovations described in the contexts of other embodiments describedherein and/or incorporated by reference herein.

A container 706 k can be insulated by a vacuum chamber, insulation,and/or by any other suitable insulation. A lid 704 k can cover anopening of the container 706 k. The lid 704 k can include featuresconfigured to enable a user to apply an unscrewing torque that isgreater than the a screwing torque to increase the likelihood that auser will be able to unscrew the lid 704 k from the container 706 k. Thelid 704 k can include unique sealing and insulation structures to reducethe heat transfer permitted by the lid 704 k.

The container 706 k can also include a narrow neck area to reduce thearea that is not insulated by the container 706 k (e.g., not insulatedby a vacuum chamber). The narrow neck can greatly improve the overallthermal performance of the storage system 700 k. The flexible nature ofvarious components inside the container 706 k can enable the componentsto be inserted through the narrow neck and then expand into place onceinside an interior of the container 706 k. The interior can have alarger diameter than the neck.

FIG. 68 illustrates a side view of the storage system 700 k. FIG. 69illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 69-69 in FIG. 68.FIG. 70 illustrates a perspective view of the storage system 700 k in adisassembled configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 69 and 70, the storage system 700 k comprises aninsulated container 706 k having an opening 751. A lid 704 k isconfigured to cover the opening 751.

Referring now to FIG. 69, the storage system 700 k also comprises aphase change system 734 k and a tube 753. The tube 753 can be rigid orflexible. The tube 753 can be molded from plastic.

The phase change system 734 k is located inside the insulated container706 k. The tube 753 is located inside the insulated container 706 k suchthat the tube 753 is in fluid communication with the opening 751 (shownin FIG. 70) to enable inserting a medicine 702 through the opening 751and into the tube 753.

Many different types of insulated containers can be used. The insulatedcontainer 706 k can be a vacuum flask having stainless steel walls and avacuum chamber 708 k located between the stainless steel walls (e.g.,between the inner wall 710 k and the outer wall 712 k). The insulatedcontainer 706 k can be a rigid shell surrounded by foam insulation. Theinsulated container 706 k can be a compliant bag made from fabric andinsulated with any suitable insulation material.

FIG. 70 illustrates flexible bags 755 a-e, which can be at leastpartially filled with any of the phase change materials described hereinand/or incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, some of theseflexible bags 755 a-e are filled with a first phase change material thathas a first melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit andless than 74 degrees Fahrenheit; and the rest of the flexible bags 755a-e are filled with a second phase change material that has a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit. (Not all of the flexible bags are labeled toincrease the clarity of the figures.)

In some embodiments, a flexible bag 755 a is filled with a first phasechange material that has a first melting temperature greater than 40degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and flexiblebags 755 b, 755 e are filled with a second phase change material thathas a second melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit andless than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In this embodiment, flexible bags 755a, 755 b, 755 e are mechanically coupled to each other, but fluidlyisolate the first phase change material from the second phase changematerial.

In some embodiments, flexible bags 755 a, 755 b, 755 e are filled with afirst phase change material that has a first melting temperature greaterthan 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, andflexible bags 755 c, 755 d are filled with a second phase changematerial that has a second melting temperature greater than 74 degreesFahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, flexible bags 755 c, 755 d are filled with a firstphase change material that has a first melting temperature greater than40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and flexiblebags 755 a, 755 b, 755 e are filled with a second phase change materialthat has a second melting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheitand less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The flexible bags 755 a, 755 b, 755 e (or 755 c, 755 d) can be made fromone piece of film 757 a (or 757 b) that has multiple chambers at leastpartially filled with PCM. Each bag 755 a-e has a PCM chamber. Eachchamber can hold a different type of phase change material. In someembodiments, twelve chambers hold a first PCM and ten chambers hold asecond type of PCM. The flexible bags can be made from multiple layersof film. The separate chambers can be made by sealing portions of thefilm together. The film can be a sheet of any waterproof material.

The film 757 a, which forms the bags (e.g., 755 a, 755 b, 755 e) cancreate a PCM blanket 759 a that is flexible and rollable. The blanket759 a has PCM chambers and very thin sections of film that do notinclude PCM. The film sheets can enable the first blanket 759 a to berolled (e.g., moved from a flat orientation to a rolled orientation) tofacilitate inserting the blanket 759 a into a narrow opening 751. Oncethe blanket 759 a has passed through the narrow opening 751, the blanket759 can expand (e.g., at least partially unroll) to enable inserting thetube 753 into a middle portion of the container 706 k such that theblanket 759 a at least partially wraps around the tube 753.

The film 757 b, which forms the bags (e.g., 755 c, 755 d) can create aPCM blanket 759 b that is flexible and rollable. The blanket 759 b hasPCM chambers and very thin sections of film that do not include PCM.After the first blanket 759 a is inserted into the container 706 k, thesecond blanket 759 b can be inserted into the container 706 k (e.g.,prior to inserting the tube 753 into the container 706 k). The secondblanket 759 b can be located at least partially between the tube 753 andthe first blanket 759 a such that the second PCM blanket 759 b at leastpartially wraps around the tube 753 and such that the first PCM blanket759 a at least partially wraps around the second PCM blanket 759 b andat least partially wraps around the tube 753.

In some embodiments, the phase change system 706 k comprises a firstflexible bag 755 a having a first phase change material and a secondflexible bag 755 c having a second phase change material. The firstphase change material can have a first melting temperature greater than40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The secondphase change material can have a second melting temperature greater than74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, the phase change system is configured to protectthe medicine 702 (shown in FIG. 69) from a first external temperatureless than a minimum recommended storage temperature and from a secondexternal temperature greater than a maximum recommended storagetemperature by utilizing phase changes to regulate a temperature of themedicine 702.

Referring now to FIG. 69, the medicine 702 can be any type of medicine.In some embodiments, the medicine 702 is an injection device havingepinephrine. The injection device can be located in the tube 753.

In several embodiments, the first flexible bag 755 a and the secondflexible bag 755 c are located inside the insulated container 706 k andare located outside the tube 753 such that the first flexible bag 755 aand the second flexible bag 755 c are located between an inner wall 710k of the insulated container 706 k and an outer wall 761 of the tube753.

Referring now to FIGS. 71 and 72, the outer wall 761 of the tube 753comprises many ventilation channels 763. To increase the clarity of thefigures, not all of the ventilation channels are labeled.

The ventilation channels 763 are configured to enable airflow between anarea 765 inside the tube 753 and the phase change system 734 k (labeledin FIG. 69). The area 765 inside the tube 753 can be where the medicine702 is stored inside the system 700 k (shown in FIG. 69).

The outer wall 761 of the tube 753 can comprise a second ventilationchannel 763 located on an opposite side of the tube 753 relative to afirst ventilation channel 763. The tube 753 can include many ventilationchannels 763 that are oriented radially outward (e.g., relative to acentral axis 767 of the tube 753). The ventilation channels 763 can havediverse shapes (e.g., round, square, rectangle). As shown in FIG. 69,the ventilation channels 763 can be configured to facilitate heattransfer between the medicine 702 and the phase change system 734 k.

Referring now to FIGS. 69 and 70, the bags 755 a-e can be flexible suchthat they are configured to conform to fit in an area between the tube753 and an interior wall 710 k of the insulated container 706 k. In someembodiments, the bags 755 a-e are “highly flexible” such that whendrained of PCM, a first end of each bag can be bent 180 degrees relativeto an opposite end of the bag without causing any damage to the bag.Conformable bags 755 a-e can be helpful during the assembly through thenarrow opening 751.

In some embodiments, a first flexible bag comprises at least two fluidlyisolated chambers (e.g., 755 a, 755 b, 755 e) having a first phasechange material. The second flexible bag can comprise at least twofluidly isolated chambers (e.g., 755 c, 755 d) having a second phasechange material.

As shown in FIG. 69, the first flexible bag (e.g., 755 a, 755 b) can bewrapped at least partially around the tube 753. The second flexible bag(e.g., 755 c, 755 d) can be wrapped at least partially around the tube753. A first PCM blanket 759 a (shown in FIG. 70) is wrapped around asecond PCM blanket 759 b (shown in FIG. 70) in the configuration shownin FIG. 69. In several embodiments, the first flexible bag (e.g., 755 a,755 b) is wrapped at least partially around the second flexible bag. Insome embodiments, the second flexible bag (e.g., 755 c, 755 d) iswrapped at least partially around the first flexible bag (e.g., 755 a,755 b).

The insulated container 706 k is insulated by a vacuum chamber 708 k.The vacuum flask can comprise an inner wall 710 k and an outer wall 712k with a gas pressure between the inner wall and the outer wall that isless than atmospheric pressure (to create a “vacuum chamber”). In someembodiments, the pressure between the inner wall 710 k and the outerwall 712 k can be less than 60% of atmospheric pressure, less than 40%of atmospheric pressure, and/or less than 20% of atmospheric pressure.The atmospheric pressure can be measured at sea level.

The insulated container 706 k can use other types of insulation methodsin addition to or instead of using a vacuum chamber 708 k. The othertypes of insulation described herein and/or incorporated by referencecan be used to insulate the container 706 k.

As shown in FIG. 69, the phase change system 734 k is wrapped around thetube 753, the insulated container 706 k comprises a first central axis769, the tube comprises a second central axis 767 (shown in FIG. 72)that is within 15 degrees of being aligned with the first central axis769, and the tube 753 extends from an upper half (i.e., a proximal half)of the insulated container 706 k to a lower half (i.e., a distal half)of the insulated container 706 k. (The upper half is located closer tothe lid 704 k than the lower half.)

As used herein, “extends” means to continue in a specified direction orover a specified distance, but unless stated otherwise, typically doesnot mean to become longer.

In some embodiments, the first central axis 769 is aligned with thesecond central axis 767 (shown in FIG. 72). In some embodiments, thetube extends along a portion of the first central axis 769 such that thetube is radially centered relative to the container 706 k.

The tube 753 is held inside the insulated container 706 k. At least oneflex arm 771 is configured to hold the tube 753 inside the insulatedcontainer 706 k. The flex arms 771 protrude farther radially outward(relative to a central axis 769) than a narrowest section 773 of aninterior of the insulated container 706 k such that the flex arms 771are configured to flex radially inward (relative to a central axis 769)in response to inserting the tube 753 into the insulated container 706 kand the flex arms 771 are configured to contact a narrowing section 775of the interior to hold the tube 753 inside the insulated container 706k.

An arrow in FIG. 73 illustrates a radially inward direction in which theflex arm 771 bends in response to contacting the narrowest section 773(in the neck of the container 706 k) as the tube 753 is inserted throughthe opening 751 and into the final position of the tube 753 (as shown inFIG. 69). Flexing radially inward enables the arm 771 to move past thenarrowest section 773.

The flex arm 771 comprises a cantilever beam 777. The cantilever beam777 can be oriented within 20 degrees of parallel to a central axis 767(and/or a central axis 769). These orientations are helpful to enablethe cantilever beam 777 to flex in response to inserting the tube 753into the container 706 k.

Referring now to FIGS. 69, 70, and 73, the cantilever beam 777 (of theflex arm 771) is oriented within 80 degrees of a direction oriented (1)along a central axis 767 of the tube 753 and (2) towards the opening 751such that pulling the tube 753 towards the opening 751 increases aresistance of the flex arm 771 to the pulling. This “engaging” structurecan help prevent inadvertent removal of the tube 753 from the insulatedcontainer 706 k. The tube 753 and the flex arms 771 can be moldedplastic (e.g., as a single piece or as separate pieces that are coupledtogether).

The tube 753 comprises flex arms 771 having a cantilever beam 777 and aportion 779 to engage an interior of the insulated container 706 k tohold the tube 753 inside the insulated container 706 k (e.g., in thenarrowing section 775 of the interior). The portion 779 is orientedtowards a narrowing portion 775 of an interior of the insulatedcontainer 706 k. For example, the interior of the container 706 k can bethe widest in a region that holds the phase change system 734 k. Theinterior of the container 706 k can be narrower in the opening 751 thanin the region that holds the phase change system 734 k. A narrowingportion 775 is typically necessary to transition from the wider portionto the narrow portion of the interior of the container 706 k. Engagingthis narrowing portion can be particularly helpful in preventing thetube 753 from falling out of the insulated container 706 k.

In some embodiments, the tube 753 is coupled to a bracket 781 that holdsthe tube 753 inside the insulated container 706 k. Bracket embodimentscan have diverse shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the bracket 781is rigidly coupled to an interior of the insulated container 706 k. Insome embodiments, the bracket 781 has a hole in which a portion of thetube 753 is placed (e.g., to hold the tube in a center of the insulatedcontainer such that the hole of the bracket 781 is aligned with thecentral axis 769 of the container 706 k).

In several embodiments, a maximum width of the opening 751 is measuredfrom a central axis 769 of the insulated container 706 k in a directionperpendicular to the central axis 769. The tube 753 can be coupled to abracket 781 having an outermost edge located farther from the centralaxis 769 than the maximum width of the opening 751 such that the bracket781 holds the tube 753 inside the insulated container 706 k. In otherwords, the outermost edge of the bracket 781 can stick out so far thatit cannot fit through the opening 751. (The bracket 781 can flex toenable inserting the bracket 781 into the insulated container 706 k.)

In several embodiments, a spring 783 facilitates removing the medicine702 from the insulated container 706 k (e.g., by pushing the medicine702 towards the opening 751 of the insulated container 706 k to help auser grasp a proximal portion of the medicine 702).

The spring 783 is located in the insulated container 706 k. The spring783 is configured to push the medicine 702 towards the opening 751. Aproximal platform 785 can be located inside the tube 753 such that thespring 783 pushes the proximal platform 785 towards the opening 751 topush the medicine 702 at least partially out of the opening 751 so auser can pull the medicine 702 out of the storage system 700 k.

FIGS. 72 and 74 illustrates the spring system, which has a spring 783, aproximal platform 785, and a bracket 789. The spring 783 is configuredto push the proximal platform 785 away from the bracket 789. The bracket789 has radially outward protrusions 791 that interlock with notches 793(shown in FIG. 70) in the tube 753.

The bracket 789 and the platform 785 comprise protrusions 797 and/orindentations 795 to receive an end of the spring 783 to secure thespring 783. The protrusions 797 and indentations 795 are cylindrical.

Referring now to FIGS. 71 and 74, the platform 785 comprises radiallyoutward protrusions 787 that are located in guides (e.g., verticalslots) 801 of the tube 753. The protrusions 787 and guides 801 helpprevent the platform 785 from rotating relative to the tube 753.

Referring now to FIGS. 75-78, in several embodiments, systems include arotational release mechanism 803 to guard against overtightening, whichcould result in difficulty removing the lid 704 k of the storage system700 k. The lid 704 k (and its rotational release mechanism 803) can beused with any of the containers described herein and/or incorporated byreference.

The insulated container 706 k and/or the lid 704 k can comprise arotational release mechanism 803 configured such that the lid 704 k isrotatable relative to the insulated container 706 k in a firstrotational direction 813 that tightens the lid 704 k to the insulatedcontainer 706 k (via an applied torque) and in a second rotationaldirection 815 that loosens the lid 704 k from the insulated container706 k (via an applied torque). The lid 704 k can comprise a firstportion 807 and a second portion 809. The first portion 807 can comprisethreads 811 that couple the lid to the insulated container 706 k.

The second portion 809 of the lid 704 k is configured to rotate in thefirst rotational direction 813 relative to the first portion 807 of thelid 704 k in response to a first applied torque that exceeds a releasethreshold (e.g., a torque). The second portion 809 of the lid 704 k canbe configured to resist rotation in the second rotational direction 815relative to the first portion 807 in a presence of a second appliedtorque that is at least thirty percent larger than a magnitude of therelease threshold.

In several embodiments, the rotational release mechanism 803 comprisesan interface 816 between the first portion 807 and the second portion809. The interface 816 can have teeth 817 slanted such that rotating thesecond portion 809 relative to the first portion 807 of the lid 704 k inthe first rotational direction 813 requires a lower torque than rotatingthe second portion 809 relative to the first portion 807 of the lid 704k in the second rotational direction 815.

The second portion 809 of the lid 704 k can have protrusions 819 thatprotrude radially inward relative to a central axis 818 of the lid 704k. The interface 816 can be configured such that rotating the secondportion 809 relative to the first portion 807 causes a protrusion 819 tocollide with the tooth 817.

The tooth 817 has a peak 822. The peak of the tooth is the “highest”point of the tooth 817. When a tooth protrudes radially outward, thepeak is the point of the tooth that is the farthest radially outward.When a tooth protrudes radially inward, the peak is the point of thetooth that is the farthest radially inward. When a tooth protrudesupward, the peak is the point of the tooth that is the farthest upward.When a tooth protrudes downward, the peak is the point of the tooth thatis the farthest downward.

The tooth 817 comprises a first side 820 and a second side 821. Thefirst side 820 is separated from the second side 821 by the peak 822.When the lid 704 k is screwed into the container 706 k, the protrusion819 collides with the first side 820 of the tooth 817. When the lid 704k is unscrewed from the container 706 k, the protrusion 819 collideswith the second side 821 of the tooth 817. The tooth 817 is slanted suchthat the first side 820 is more gradual than the second side 821. Inother words, the second side 821 is more abrupt than the first side 820.As a result, the torque required to rotate the second portion 809 (ofthe lid 704 k) relative to the first portion 807 (of the lid 704 k) isless when the lid 704 k is unscrewed from the container 706 k than whenthe lid 704 k is screwed into the container 706 k (as measured when thefirst portion 807 does not rotate).

As shown in FIG. 75, the tooth 817 is located on a flex arm 824configured to bend radially inward to enable the protrusion 819 to movepast the tooth 817. As shown in FIG. 77, a gap 825 enables the tooth 817to flex radially inward.

FIG. 78 illustrates teeth 827 that protrude radially outward and areslanted such that they provide greater grip when unscrewing the lid 704k than when screwing the lid 704 k into the container 706 k. The teeth827 protrude radially outward from an outer perimeter of the lid 704 k.

Each tooth 827 comprises a first side 828, a second side 829, and a peak830. The first side 828 is separated from the second side 829 by thepeak 830. The tooth 827 is slanted such that the first side 828 is moregradual than the second side 829. In other words, the second side 829 ismore abrupt than the first side 828.

In some embodiments, on the first side 828, the tooth 827 is tangent toan outer perimeter of the lid 704 k. In some embodiments, the first side828 is defined by a point 857 where the tooth 827 joints the outerperimeter 859 of the lid 704 k. (The outer perimeter 859 of the lid 704k can be cylindrical and/or have a circular cross section that isperpendicular to a central axis of the lid 704 k.)

A first measurement line can measured between the point 857 and the peak830 of the tooth 827. A second measurement line can be measured betweena central axis of the lid 704 k and the point 857. In severalembodiments, a first angle between the first measurement line and thesecond measurement line is less than 135 degrees; less than 120 degrees;and/or greater than 89 degrees.

In some embodiments, the second side 829 is defined by a point 861 wherethe tooth 827 joints the outer perimeter 859 of the lid 704 k. A thirdmeasurement line can measured between the point 861 and the peak 830 ofthe tooth 827. A fourth measurement line can be measured between acentral axis of the lid 704 k and the point 857. In several embodiments,a second angle between the third measurement line and the fourthmeasurement line is greater than 135 degrees; greater than 150 degrees;and/or equal to 180 degrees such that the third measurement line and thefourth measurement line are parallel to each other.

In several embodiments, the first measurement line is at least 30percent longer and/or at least 50 percent longer than the thirdmeasurement line such that a first average slope of the first side 828is less than a second average slope of the second side 829.

In several embodiments, a first coefficient of friction of the firstside 828 is less than a second coefficient of friction of the secondside 829 such that the second side 829 is configured to provide strongergripping traction than the first side 828.

FIG. 79 illustrates a perspective view of a phase change system 734 hthat has bags 755 f-i at least partially filled with PCM. Flex arms 771protrude radially outward to help secure the tube 753 in the container(not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 69, 70, and 79, a storage system 700 k cancomprise an insulated container 706 k having an opening 751; a lid 704 kconfigured to cover the opening 751; a phase change system 734 k locatedinside the insulated container 706 k; and a tube 753 located inside theinsulated container 706 k such that the tube 753 is in fluidcommunication with the opening 751 (to enable inserting a medicine 702through the opening 751 and into the tube 753). The phase change system734 h can comprise a first bag 755 a having a first phase changematerial. The first phase change material can have a first meltingtemperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degreesFahrenheit. The insulated container 706 k can be a vacuum flask suchthat the insulated container 706 k is insulated by a vacuum chamber 708k. The first bag 755 a can be located inside the insulated container 706k and outside the tube 753 such that the first bag 755 a is locatedbetween an inner wall 710 k of the insulated container 706 k and anouter wall 761 of the tube. The tube 753 can extend from an upper halfof the insulated container 706 k to a lower half of the insulatedcontainer 706 k such that the storage system 700 k is configured toenable a user to remove the lid 704 k, insert the medicine 702 throughthe opening 751 and into the tube 753, replace the lid 704 k, andprotect the medicine 702 from temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

In several embodiments, a storage system 700 k comprises an insulatedcontainer 706 k having an opening 751; a lid 704 k configured to coverthe opening 751; a phase change system 734 k located inside theinsulated container 706 k; and a tube 753 located inside the insulatedcontainer 706 k such that the tube 753 is in fluid communication withthe opening 751 (to enable inserting a medicine 702 through the opening751 and into the tube 753). The phase change system 734 k can comprise afirst bag 755 a having a first phase change material. The first phasechange material can have a first melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The insulatedcontainer 706 k can be insulated by a vacuum chamber 708 k. The firstbag 755 a can be located inside the insulated container 706 k andoutside the tube 753 such that the first bag 755 a is located between aninner wall 710 k of the vacuum chamber 708 k and an outer wall 761 ofthe tube 753. The tube 753 can extend from an upper half of theinsulated container 706 k to a lower half of the insulated container 706k such that the storage system 700 k is configured to enable a user toremove the lid 704 k, insert the medicine 702 through the opening 751and into the tube 753, replace the lid 704 k, and protect the medicine702 from temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, an interior of the insulated container 706 kcomprises a first cylindrical section 833 and a second cylindricalsection 835 that is closer to the opening 751 than the first cylindricalsection 833. The second cylindrical section 835 can have a seconddiameter that is smaller than a first diameter of the first cylindricalsection 833. The first cylindrical section 833 can have a first lengthmeasured along a central axis 769 of the insulated container 706 k. Thesecond cylindrical section 835 can have a second length measured alongthe central axis 769 of the insulated container 706 k. The first lengthcan be at least twice as long as the second length.

Referring now to FIGS. 69-72, in several embodiments, the tube 753comprises a third cylindrical section 837 having a third diameter and athird length. The third length is measured along a central axis 767 ofthe tube 753. The tube 753 can comprise a fourth cylindrical section 839having a fourth diameter and a fourth length. The fourth length ismeasured along the central axis 767 of the tube 753. The fourthcylindrical section 839 can couple the third cylindrical section 837 tothe opening 751 of the insulated container 706 k. The fourth diametercan be larger than the third diameter. The third length can be at leasttwice as long as the fourth length.

In some embodiments, threads 811 of the storage system 700 k couple theinsulated container 706 k to the lid 704 k. At least one of the secondcylindrical section 835 and a portion of the insulated container 706 klocated radially outward from the second cylindrical section 835 cancomprise threads 811 configured to couple the lid 704 k to the insulatedcontainer 706 k. As used herein, a section can be cylindrical even if ithas threads.

FIG. 75 illustrates a perspective, exploded view of the lid 704 k. Inseveral embodiments, seals are configured to limit or eliminate fluidcommunication between an environment outside the storage system 700 kand an interior of the storage system 700 k where the medicine 702 isstored.

The lid 704 k can comprise a seal 840, which can include a distalcompression seal 841, a proximal compression seal 842, and at least oneradial seal 843 located between the distal compression seal 841 and theproximal compression seal 843. Seals can be wiper seals, o-rings, or anyother suitable type of seal. Seals can be made from silicone or anyother suitable material.

The lid 704 k can include a cap 847. The cap 847 (or any other portionof the lid 704 k and/or the storage system 700 k) can includeelectronics 848, a battery 849, and a display 850. The display 850 canshow temperature information and other information related to medicinestorage. The electronics 848 can include a printed circuit board 851,which can include an accelerometer configured to detect if the system ismoving. A temperature probe 852 can be used to measure a temperatureinside the medicine storage area of the system 700 k. The many featuresdescribed in the context of FIG. 5 of U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/849,884, including but not limited to theelectronic features and the computer 76, can be combined with any of theembodiments described in the context of FIGS. 69-79. The lid 18 shown inFIG. 5 of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884 canbe used with any portion of the storage system 700 k.

In some embodiments, all features, assemblies, components, andinnovations related to the lid 18 shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Nonprovisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/849,884 are combined with the features,assemblies, components, and innovations described herein in the contextof lid 704 k (shown in FIGS. 66-70 and 75-78).

An area 853 under the cap 847, around the temperature probe 852, and/orwithin the first portion 807 of the lid 704 k can be filled and/orinsulated with foam or any other suitable insulation. In someembodiments, this area 853 comprises a second vacuum chamber that islocated inside the lid 704 k.

In any of the embodiments described herein and/or incorporated byreference, a storage system can comprise a thermometer configured tomeasure a temperature of an interior area of the insulated container; awireless communication system communicatively coupled with a remotecomputing device; and a first wireless communication sent from themedicine storage system to the remote computing device in response to atleast one of (1) the temperature falling below a predetermined minimumtemperature threshold, (2) the temperature rising above a predeterminedmaximum temperature threshold, (3) falling below a first predeterminedamount of time until the temperature is predicted to fall below thepredetermined minimum temperature threshold, and (4) falling below asecond predetermined amount of time until the temperature is predictedto rise above the predetermined maximum temperature threshold.Additional details are described in the context of FIG. 5 of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884 and in otherportions of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884.The electronics 847 shown in FIG. 78 include a wireless communicationsystem. FIGS. 69 and 75 illustrate a lid having a thermometer (e.g., atemperature probe 852).

In any of the embodiments described herein and/or incorporated byreference, a storage system can comprise a thermometer configured tomeasure a temperature of an interior area of the insulated container;and a computing system configured to emit at least one of a visualindicator and an audio indicator in response to at least one of (1) thetemperature falling below a predetermined minimum temperature threshold,(2) the temperature rising above a predetermined maximum temperaturethreshold, (3) falling below a first predetermined amount of time untilthe temperature is predicted to fall below the predetermined minimumtemperature threshold, and (4) falling below a second predeterminedamount of time until the temperature is predicted to rise above thepredetermined maximum temperature threshold. Additional details aredescribed in the context of FIG. 5 of U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/849,884 and in other portions of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884. The electronics847 shown in FIG. 78 include a computing system configured to emitvisual indicators and audio indicators. FIGS. 69 and 75 illustrate a lidhaving a thermometer (e.g., a temperature probe 852).

In any of the embodiments described herein and/or incorporated byreference, a storage system can have a lid configured to cover anopening of an insulated container. The lid can comprise a thermometersystem configured to measure a temperature of an interior area of theinsulated container. The lid can comprise a display configured to showthe temperature. The lid can comprise an inward portion and an outwardportion. The inward portion can be located closer to the medicinestorage area than the outward portion of the lid. A portion of thethermometer system can be coupled to the inward portion of the lid suchthat the portion of the thermometer system is configured to sense thetemperature of the interior area. The display can be located on anoutward facing side of the lid such that the display is configured toshow the temperature even when the lid is screwed onto the insulatedcontainer. The thermometer system and the display can be electricallycoupled to a computing system configured to enable the storage system tomeasure the temperature and show the temperature on the display.Additional details are described in the context of FIG. 5 of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884 and in otherportions of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884.The lid 704 k illustrated in FIGS. 76 includes a temperature probe 852that protrudes distally from a distal end of the lid 704 k. FIG. 66illustrates that the lid 704 k includes a display 850 (which shows atemperature e.g., “73 F,” of an interior area of the insulated container706 k). The electronics 847 shown in FIG. 78 include a computing systemthat electrically couples the thermometer system 852 and the display 850to enable the storage system 700 k to measure the temperature and showthe temperature on the display 850.

Any of the embodiments described herein and/or incorporated by referencecan be used to protect a medicine from a first external temperature lessthan a minimum recommended storage temperature and from a secondexternal temperature greater than a maximum recommended storagetemperature by utilizing phase changes to regulate a temperature of themedicine. The manufacturer of the medicine can specify the minimum andmaximum recommended storage temperatures. (The external temperature is atemperature of the environment outside of the storage system.)

The minimum and maximum recommended storage temperatures can be for along duration of time and/or for a short duration of time. For example,the manufacturer might recommend a first minimum recommended storagetemperature for long-term storage and a second minimum recommendedstorage temperature for short-term storage. In some cases, the firstminimum recommended storage temperature is higher than the secondminimum recommended storage temperature (due to the vulnerability ofcertain medicines to low temperatures over extended periods of time).

The manufacturer might recommend a first maximum recommended storagetemperature for long-term storage and a second maximum recommendedstorage temperature for short-term storage. In some cases, the firstmaximum recommended storage temperature is lower than the second maximumrecommended storage temperature (due to the vulnerability of certainmedicines to high temperatures over extended periods of time).

The ability of the medicine storage system to protect against both hotand cold temperatures is highly advantageous for many reasons. Forexample, outdoor temperatures can often swing between temperatures thatare too high for a medicine during a sunny day and then reach atemperature that is too low for the medicine during the following night.

Having both hot and cold temperature protection is also helpful becauseit makes the system less dependent on the user planning ahead for eitherhot or cold temperatures. Instead, one storage system can be usedregardless of the season, time of day, or unexpected temperature swings.The result is a storage system that is more versatile, less prone touser error, and automatically adaptable to unexpected weather changes.

FIG. 80 illustrates a perspective view of a disassembled medicinestorage system 700 m, which can include any of the features, assemblies,components, and innovations described in the context of otherembodiments described herein and/or incorporated by reference.Cross-sectional views of the storage system 700 m in an assembled stateare shown in FIGS. 83 and 85.

The many features described in the context of FIG. 5 of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884, including but notlimited to the electronic features and the computer 76, can be combinedwith any of the embodiments described in the context of FIGS. 80-85. Thelid 18 shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser.No. 14/849,884 can be used with any portion of the storage system 700 m.

In some embodiments, all features, assemblies, components, andinnovations related to the lid 18 shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Nonprovisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/849,884 are combined with the features,assemblies, components, and innovations described herein in the contextof lid 704 m (shown in FIGS. 80-85).

Referring now to FIG. 80, the lid 704 m can include a seal 840 coupledto the first portion 807, the second portion 809 rotatably coupled tothe first portion 807, the vacuum chamber 863 located within the firstportion 807 and/or within the second portion 809 such that the vacuumchamber 863 is at least partially surrounded by insulation (e.g., foaminsulation), and a cap 847, which can include electronics configured tocommunicate with a remote computing device (e.g., a smartphone) andconfigured to provide temperature alerts.

The phase change system 734 m can fit inside the container 706 k. Thephase change system 734 m can be manufactured along with the container706 k using processes used for making vacuum flasks except that portstypically used to extract air to form vacuum chambers can be used tofill chambers with PCMs. The ports can be welded shut to prevent thePCMs from leaking out of the phase change system 734 m. The phase changesystem 734 m can be made from stainless steel to help avoid corrosionproblems.

In some embodiments, the phase change system 734 m is molded fromplastic and filled with PCMs. The phase change system 734 m can beinserted into the container 706 k (e.g., before a bottom portion of thecontainer 706 k is welded onto the rest of the container 706 k).

Some embodiments include a liner 867, which can include ventilationchannels 763 m to help promote heat transfer within the system 700 m.The liner 867 can comprise a tube 753 m. The liner 867 can be moldedfrom a soft material configured to help pad an interior portion of thephase change system 734 m (e.g., especially if the phase change system734 m is made from metal) so the medicine container 702 is not damagedby hitting hard walls. The liner 867 can conform to interior walls ofthe phase change system 734 m (e.g., as shown in FIG. 83).

FIG. 81 illustrates a side view of a medicine storage system 700 m. FIG.82 illustrates an enlarged view of the area indicated by circle AA inFIG. 83. FIG. 83 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line83-83 from FIG. 81. FIG. 84 illustrates a side view of a medicinestorage system 700 m.

FIG. 85 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line 85-85 fromFIG. 84. Embodiments can include an air passage 888 between PCM chambers(e.g., within the wall 876) and/or between the medicine chamber 720 mand at least one PCM chamber. The air passage 888 can be fluidly coupledwith the medicine chamber 720 m to provide additional PCM chambersurface area to increase heat transfer between the PCM and the medicinechamber 720 m.

Referring now to FIGS. 80 and 83, the container 706 k can include avacuum chamber 708 k, which provides highly effective insulation. (Someembodiments use foam insulation.) The vacuum chamber 708 k is soeffective at limiting heat transfer into and out of the storage system700 m that the thermally weakest portion of the system 700 m istypically the lid.

Insulation areas 868 and the seal 840 help to reduce heat transferthrough the lid 704 m, but lids can still permit substantial heattransfer, which is especially problematic due to the sometimes slow heattransfer rates of PCMs. The vacuum chamber 863 can greatly improve theinsulation properties of the lid 704 m, and thereby can enable a systemthat reduces heat transfer rates enough such that the PCMs can releaseor absorb heat faster enough to maintain a suitable temperature toprotect the medicine 702.

Referring now to FIGS. 80-85, medicine storage systems 700 m can includean outer circular wall 712 k; an inner circular wall 710 k coupled tothe outer circular wall 712 k; and a first vacuum chamber system 708 klocated between the inner circular wall 710 k and the outer circularwall 712 k.

Some embodiments include outer and inner walls that are cylindrical withvarying diameters (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 67, 69, and 83). In otherwords, taking cross sections perpendicular to a central axis of thewalls would show circular shapes and/or elliptical shapes. As usedherein, “circular wall” includes circular shapes and elliptical shapes.FIG. 85 shows circular walls (e.g., 710 k and 712 k). Circular walls areoften effective at resisting forces created due to vacuum chambers(e.g., external pressures on the wall are much higher than internalforces on the wall due to the vacuum chamber, which is typically not a“perfect vacuum”).

The first vacuum chamber system 708 k can comprise at least one vacuumchamber. In some embodiments, dividing walls couple the outer wall 712 kto the inner wall 710 k and separate a first vacuum chamber from asecond vacuum chamber.

In some embodiments, medicine storage systems 700 m include a firstchamber 720 m at least partially surrounded by the first vacuum chambersystem 708 k; a removable medicine container 702 located inside thefirst chamber 720 m; and a proximal portion of the medicine storagesystem 700 m. The proximal portion can comprise an opening 751 to thefirst chamber 720 m. The opening 751 can be covered by a removable lid704 m. The medicine storage system 700 m can be configured such thatremoving the lid 704 m enables a user to remove the medicine container702 from the first chamber 720 m.

In several embodiments, the medicine storage system 700 m comprises aphase change system 734 m that includes a second chamber 742 r having afirst phase change material 222 e and a third chamber 742 s having asecond phase change material 232 e. (In some embodiments, the secondchamber 742 r contains the second phase change material 232 e and thethird chamber 742 s contains the first phase change material 222 e.)

FIG. 24 of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/616,652illustrates a first PCM 222 e in a second chamber 220 e and a second PCM232 e in a third chamber 230 e. U.S. Nonprovisional patent applicationSer. No. 14/616,652 is incorporated by reference herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 80-85, the phase change system 734 m can be atleast partially surrounded by the first vacuum chamber system 708 k suchthat the first vacuum chamber system 708 k is configured to insulatedthe phase change system 734 m from an environment that is external tothe medicine storage system 700 m. The first phase change material 222 ecan have a first melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheitand less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phase changematerial 232 e can have a second melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, a medicine storage system 700 m comprises a liner867 located in the first chamber 720 m. The liner 867 can surround atleast a majority of the removable medicine container 702. The liner 867can be made from a first material. The first chamber 720 m can be madefrom a second material that is at least two times harder than the firstmaterial as measured on the Brinell scale. The liner 867 can be moldedfrom plastic, rubber, or any suitable material.

In several embodiments, a medicine storage system 700 m comprises afirst seal 841 located between the lid 704 m and the opening 751 to thefirst chamber 720 m (e.g., such that the first seal 841 is configured toblock fluid from entering the first chamber 720 m to keep the medicinecontainer 702 dry). The first seal 841 can be configured to reduce heattransfer from an internal portion of the medicine storage system 700 mto an area outside the medicine storage system 700 m.

In some embodiments, the lid 704 m is coupled to the proximal portion ofthe medicine storage system 700 m by screw threads 811. The first seal841 can be compressed by inserting a portion of the lid 704 m into theopening 751 such that the first seal 841 is compressed between theportion of the lid 704 m and a radially inward protrusion 871 of theopening 751 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 82).

In several embodiments, the medicine storage system 700 m comprises asecond seal 843 located between the lid 704 m and the opening 751. Thesecond seal 843 can be a radial seal that is radially compressed betweenthe opening 751 and the lid 704 m. A medicine storage system 700 m canfurther comprise an air gap 873 (shown in FIG. 82) between the firstseal 841 and the second seal 843 such that (1) the radial seal isconfigured to fluidly isolate the air gap 873 from a proximal portion ofthe opening 751 and (2) the first seal 841 is configured to fluidlyisolate the air gap 873 from at least one of the first chamber 720 m anda distal portion of the opening 751. The second seal 843 can be locatedproximally relative to the first seal 841. The first seal 841 and thesecond seal 843 can be located distally relative to the screw threads811.

In some embodiments, the lid 704 m comprises a groove 874 that facesradially outward. At least one of the first seal 841 and the second seal843 can comprise a portion located in the groove 874. The groove 874 canbe configured to help retain at least one seal (e.g., 840).

In several embodiments, a third seal 842 is located between a proximalend 844 of the opening 751 and a distally facing surface 845 of the lid704 m. The third seal 842 can be compressed between the proximal end 844and the distally facing surface 845. The third seal 842 can be locatedproximally relative to the first seal 841 and the second seal 843. Thefirst seal 841, the second seal 843, and the third seal 842 can bemolded from rubber materials.

In some embodiments, the lid 704 m comprises a second vacuum chamber863. The second vacuum chamber 863 can be fluidly isolated from thefirst vacuum chamber system 708 k such that screwing the lid 704 m ontothe proximal portion of the medicine storage system 700 m rotates thesecond vacuum chamber 863 relative to the first vacuum chamber system708 k. The lid 704 m can comprise a metal wall 864 having a port 865that is welded closed. The port 865 can be used to remove a gas from thesecond vacuum chamber 863. Then, the port 865 can be welded closed. Thesecond vacuum chamber 863 can be located within the metal wall 864. Thelid 704 m can further comprise insulation 868 that surrounds at least amajority of the second vacuum chamber 863. The second vacuum chamber 863can be spherical, cylindrical, or any suitable shape.

In several embodiments, the second chamber 742 r and the third chamber742 s are located radially outward from the first chamber 720 m relativeto a first central axis 769 of the first chamber 720 m. The thirdchamber 742 s can be located radially outward from the second chamber742 r (e.g., relative to the first central axis 769). The second chamber742 r can be located radially outward from the third chamber 742 s(e.g., relative to the first central axis 769).

In some embodiments, the medicine storage system 700 m comprising arecommended storage temperature. For example, a manufacturer of themedicine storage system 700 m can recommend a temperature range at whichto store the medicine storage system 700 m. In some cases, thisrecommended storage temperature can be “room temperature” and/or atemperature range within plus or minus 20 degrees of 74 degreesFahrenheit. The manufacturer can include this recommended storagetemperature in a location in which customers will see the recommendedstorage temperature. The recommended storage temperature can be locatedon the medicine storage system 700 m (e.g., printed on the storagesystem 700 m). The recommended storage temperature can be located onpackaging of the medicine storage system 700 m (e.g., a box in which astorage system 700 m is shipped and/or placed on a retail shelf). Therecommended storage temperature can be located on instructions includedwith the medicine storage system 700 m (e.g., an instruction sheet orinstruction booklet that explains how to use the storage system 700 m).The recommended storage temperature can be located on a website and/orin an instructional video.

In several embodiments, the first chamber 720 m, the second chamber 742r, and the third chamber 742 s (of the medicine storage system 700 m)are concentric. The removable medicine container 702 can be an injectiondevice having epinephrine (e.g., an EpiPen). The recommended storagetemperature can be greater than the first melting temperature and lessthan the second melting temperature such that the medicine storagesystem 700 m is configured such that when the medicine storage system700 m is stored for one week (or four weeks) in an environment havingthe recommended storage temperature, the first phase change material 222e is liquid and the second phase change material 232 e is solid.

In some embodiments, the first chamber 720 m extends from the proximalportion towards a distal portion of the medicine storage system 700 msuch that the first chamber 720 m is at least as long as a majority of alength between a proximal end of the medicine storage system 700 m and adistal end of the medicine storage system 700 m. As used herein,“extends” means to continue in a specified direction or over a specifieddistance, but unless stated otherwise, typically does not mean to becomelonger.

In several embodiments, the first chamber 720 m comprises a firstcentral axis, the second chamber 742 r comprises a second central axis,the third chamber 742 s comprises a third central axis, and the secondand third central axes are within 15 degrees of being parallel to thefirst central axis of the first chamber 720 m. As illustrated in FIG.83, the first, second, and third central axes are shown by axis 769.

As shown in FIG. 83, the vacuum chamber 708 k has a smaller outerdiameter in the proximal portion of the medicine storage system 700 mthan in the distal portion of the medicine storage system 700 m. Thevacuum chamber 708 k extends farther proximally than the second chamber742 r and the third chamber 742 s such that at least a portion of theopening 751 is surrounded by the vacuum chamber 708 k but is notsurrounded by the second chamber 742 r and the third chamber 742 s. Asused herein, “extend” means to continue in a specified direction or overa specified distance, but unless stated otherwise, typically does notmean to become longer.

As shown in FIG. 83, a first portion of the lid 704 m is locatedradially inward relative to a portion of the vacuum chamber 708 k, and asecond portion of the lid 704 m is located radially outward relative tothe portion of the vacuum chamber 708 k.

As shown in FIG. 83, a proximal portion of the second chamber 742 rtapers radially inward and a proximal portion of the third chamber 742 stapers inward to enable the vacuum chamber 708 k to have the smallerouter diameter in the proximal portion of the medicine storage system700 m than in the distal portion of the medicine storage system 700 m.

In several embodiments, the medicine storage system 700 m comprises aradially inward protrusion 871 located between the opening 751 and thefirst chamber 720 m. The lid 704 m can comprise a seal 841 compressedbetween a portion of the lid 704 m and the radially inward protrusion871 (to block fluid from entering the first chamber 720 m to keep themedicine container 702 dry).

In some embodiments, at least a majority of the opening 751 and at leasta majority of the first chamber 720 m are isodiametric.

In several embodiments, at least a majority of the opening 751 hasdiameters that are 10 percent to 65 percent larger than diameters of atleast a majority of the first chamber 720 m. This can be calculatedusing standard mathematical techniques.

In some embodiments, the first chamber 720 m comprises a first centralaxis, the second chamber 742 r comprises a second central axis, thethird chamber 742 s comprises a third central axis, and the second andthird central axes are within 15 degrees of being parallel to the firstcentral axis.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 85 (but also to FIG. 24 of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/616,652), at least amajority of the first chamber 720 m is located within a first wall 875and a second wall 876 that are located within the inner circular wall710 k. The first wall 875 can separate the first chamber 720 m from afirst portion of the phase change system 734 m. The second wall 876 canseparate the first chamber 720 m from a second portion of the phasechange system 734 m. A PCM chamber can be located between the first wall875 and the second wall 876. The first phase change material 222 e cansurround the majority of the first chamber 720 m. The second phasechange material 232 e can surround the majority of the first chamber 720m.

In some embodiments, the second chamber 742 r surrounds the majority ofthe first chamber 720 m such that the first phase change material 222 ecan move 360 degrees around a first perimeter of the first chamber 720 mwhen the first phase change material 222 e is above the first meltingtemperature. The third chamber 742 s can surround the majority of thefirst chamber 720 m such that the second phase change material 232 e canmove 360 degrees around a second perimeter of the first chamber 720 mwhen the second phase change material 232 e is above the second meltingtemperature.

In several embodiments, the storage system 700 m comprises a first wall875 and a second wall 876 that are located within the inner circularwall 710 k. The first wall 875 is located between the first chamber 720m (e.g., on the radially inward side of the first wall 875) and thefirst and second phase change materials 222 e, 232 e (e.g., on theradially outward side of the first wall 875). The first wall 875surrounds at least a first portion of the first chamber 720 m. Thesecond wall 876 is located between the first phase change material 222 eand the second phase change material 232 e. The second wall 876surrounds at least a second portion of the first chamber 720 m. Thesecond chamber 742 r surrounds the first portion of the first chamber720 m such that the first phase change material 222 e can move 360degrees around a first perimeter of the first chamber 720 m when thefirst phase change material 222 e is above the first meltingtemperature, and the third chamber 742 s surrounds the second portion ofthe first chamber 720 m such that the second phase change material 232 ecan move 360 degrees around a second perimeter of the first chamber 720m when the second phase change material 232 e is above the secondmelting temperature.

Referring now to FIG. 83, a fourth chamber 877 can be added to the phasechange system 734 m of the storage system 700 m. The fourth chamber 877can be at least partially filled with a third phase change material thathas a third melting temperature. The third melting temperature can be atleast one of (i) greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than thefirst melting temperature, and (ii) greater than the second meltingtemperature and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The third phase change material can be configured to provide backupprotection against at least one of a first environment colder than 40degrees Fahrenheit and a second environment hotter than 100 degreesFahrenheit. For example, if the storage system 700 m is in anenvironment that is colder than the melting temperature of the firstphase change material, given enough time, the first phase changematerial will freeze. Once the first phase change material freezes(without backup protection), the storage system 700 m would not havefurther phase changes to protect the medicine 702 from low-temperatureinduced damage. As a result, the medicine 702 could be damaged. Incontrast, the addition of the third phase change material results in anadditional phase change that provides backup protection (e.g., once allof the first phase change material is frozen).

Similarly, the system can include a fourth phase change material thathas a melting temperature higher than the melting temperature of thesecond phase change material and lower than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Thisfourth phase change material can provide backup protection inenvironments that are hotter than the melting temperature of the secondphase change material.

Several embodiments of a storage system for injectable substancesinclude a thermally insulating container. A substance with a high heatcapacity can be located inside the insulating container. The substancecan have a specific heat capacity of at least 2 Joules/gram*Kelvinand/or a volumetric heat capacity of at least 2 Joules/cm̂3*Kelvin. Achamber configured to hold an injectable substance can also be locatedinside the insulating container. In some embodiments, the substance witha high heat capacity at least partially surrounds at least a portion ofthe chamber configured to hold the medicine (e.g., an injectablesubstance).

Storage systems can include a chamber configured to hold a medicine.This chamber can be configured to hold an injectable substance, whichmay be packaged in a separate storage container such as a plastic vial,a glass jar, and/or an injection device such as a syringe. Exampleinjectable substances can be contained in products such as EpiPens,Twinjects, Adrenaclicks, Anapens, Jexts, Allerjects, Auvi-Qs, andComboPens. Some injectable substance chambers 44 are configured to holdmultiple containers of injectable substances. Some injectable substancechambers 44 are configured to hold an inhaler and/or another drugcontainer.

As used herein, the term injectable substance can include a containerthat holds a liquid that users inject into their bodies. Someembodiments are similar to other embodiments described herein except theinjectable substance is replaced with a container of an injectableliquid. The container can be plastic, glass, and/or a syringe.

The injectable substance (e.g,. a medicine 702) can include epinephrine,adrenaline, insulin, hormones, and/or neurotransmitters. The injectablesubstance can include liquids or gases used to treat acute allergicreactions, to avoid anaphylactic shock, and/or to treat anaphylacticshock. The injectable substance can include liquids or gases used totreat diabetes. In some embodiments, the medicine 702 is an epinephrineauto-injector such as the EpiPen or EpiPen Jr. made by Mylan SpecialtyL.P. In some embodiments, the injectable substance is replaced byanother pharmaceutical product or by another product that benefits fromtemperature stability.

The many features described in the context of FIG. 5 of U.S.Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884, including but notlimited to the electronic features and the computer 76, can be combinedwith any of the embodiments described herein or incorporated byreference herein. To reduce redundancy and to increase the clarity ofother features in other figures, the features described in the contextof FIG. 5 of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884are not repeated for each figure herein. The lid 18 shown in FIG. 5 ofU.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884 can be usedwith any of the storage systems described herein to combine manyelectrical elements with many types of storage systems.

Each embodiment described herein or incorporated by reference caninclude a thermometer (e.g., as described in U.S. Nonprovisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/849,884), which can include a temperature probe64a. As described in U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/849,884, at least a portion of the temperature probe 64 a can belocated inside the injectable substance chamber 44 (e.g., a firstchamber) such that the temperature probe 64 a is configured to measure,evaluate, test, and/or determine the temperature inside the injectablesubstance chamber 44 and/or the temperature of the injectable substance50. The thermometer can also include a temperature display 62 a, whichcan be located outside of the cover 48 such that the temperature display62 a is configured such that a user can read and/or determine thetemperature on the display 62 a without opening the lid 18. A speaker 24can emit a sound to warn the user if a temperature inside the storagesystem 11 exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold or falls below apredetermined temperature threshold.

As explained in U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.14/849,884, a computer 76, a display 62 b, and/or a speaker 24 can warnthe user if a temperature, such as the temperature of the first chamber,an injectable substance, a medicine, and/or a thermal bank, deviatesoutside of a predetermined temperature range, which can be greater than55 degrees Fahrenheit and/or less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit (such thatthe system is configured to warn the user prior to a portion of thesystem reaching a temperature that could harm the medicine stored by thesystem).

Some embodiments include an insulated container configured to maintaininjectable substances at approximately room temperature. In severalembodiments, the insulated container can include a chamber configured tohold an injectable substance. The chamber can be surrounded by asubstance with high heat capacity. The substance with high heat capacitycan be surrounded by an insulated cover.

FIG. 84 illustrates multiple remote computing devices. The storagesystem 700 m can be communicatively coupled with a first remotecomputing device 76 a such that the first remote computing device 76 acan receive temperature information from the storage system 700 m and/orseparation alerts regarding the storage system 700 m (e.g., the storagesystem 700 m is located too far from the remote computing device 76 a).In response to the temperature information or the separate alerts, thefirst remote computing device 76 a can send temperature information orseparation alerts to a second remote computing device 76 b (which can bea remote computing device of a guardian of the user of the first remotecomputing device 76 a). The first remote computing device 76 a cancommunicate with the second remote computing device 76 b via a remotecomputer system 76 c (e.g., a server or a computer located remotelyrelative to the first remote computing device 76 a and the second remotecomputing device 769 b). Dashed arrows in FIG. 84 illustrate examplecommunication between the storage system 700 m, remote computing devices76 a, 76 b, and a remote computer system 76 c.

Knowing the locations of the remote computing device 76 a and thestorage system 700 m can enable the system to know if the remotecomputing device 76 a and the storage system 700 m are so far apart thatthe distance between them is indicative of leaving the storage system700 m behind (e.g., as the user drives away with the remote computingdevice 76 a but without the storage system 700 m). If a signal strength(e.g., of Bluetooth communication) between the storage system 700 m andthe remote computing device 76 a falls below a threshold, then thesystem can determine that the remote computing device 76 a and thestorage system 700 m are so far apart that the distance between them isindicative of leaving the storage system 700 m behind.

Methods of storing a medicine can include obtaining a storage systemcomprising a phase change system, a first insulated container configuredto hold at least a portion of the phase change system, and a firstchamber located within the first insulated container. The storage systemcan be any of the storage systems incorporated by reference and/ordescribed herein. For example, U.S. Nonprovisional patent applicationSer. No. 14/849,884, which is incorporated by reference herein, includesmany storage systems such as storage systems 10, 11, 12, 200, 200 a, 200b, 200 c, 200 d, 200 e, 200 f, 200 g, 200 h, 200 i, 300, 400, 500. Manydifferent types of storage systems are described herein such as storagesystems 700, 700 a, 700 b, 700 d, 700 e, 700 f, 700 h, 700 i, 700 k, 700m. Other storage systems described herein and/or incorporated byreference can also be used with the methods described herein and/orincorporated by reference.

The first chamber can be configured to hold the medicine (e.g., anEpiPen, other medicines described herein and/or incorporated byreference). The phase change system can comprise a first phase changematerial and a second phase change material. The first phase changematerial can have a first melting temperature greater than 40 degreesFahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase changematerial can have a second melting temperature greater than 74 degreesFahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Methods can include placing the medicine in the first chamber; storingthe storage system for a period of time in a first environment having afirst temperature greater than the first melting temperature and lessthan the second melting temperature; and/or protecting the medicine froma first external temperature less than the first melting temperature andfrom a second external temperature greater than the second meltingtemperature by utilizing phase changes of the first phase changematerial and the second phase change material to regulate a temperatureof the medicine.

Storage systems can include instructions that help users (e.g.,customers, caregivers) to know how to use the storage systems.Manufacturers have many different means of delivering these instructionsto users. For example, the storage system can have written instructions(e.g., printed on an external portion of the container or lid). Storagesystems can be shipped and/or put on store shelves in packagingconfigured to protect the storage system from shipping damage and/or tohelp promote key benefits to customers. The packaging can be a box, aclamshell, and/or any other suitable packaging. The packaging caninclude a paper with printed instructions and/or a booklet with printedinstructions.

In some cases, the instructions are printed on a paper that themanufacturer places inside the storage system (e.g., in the firstchamber). This helps keep the instructions with the storage system andprovides a natural place for the user to find the instructions when sheopens the storage system (e.g., by removing the lid).

In some cases, the manufacturer creates a website with the instructionsor a video with the instructions. The manufacturer can associate thewebsite information or the video with the storage system by labeling thewebsite information or video with information that helps the userunderstand that the information or video relates to the storage system.The storage system and/or packaging of the storage system can include aQuick Response (“QR”) Code that enables users to access digitalinstructions associated with the storage system. As used herein, digitalinstructions are electronic instructions provided to users via theInternet and/or computing devices. Embodiments of digital instructionsinclude videos, websites, audio files, “apps,” and images on electronicdisplays.

Some embodiments comprise storing the storage system in the firstenvironment until the first phase change material is liquid and thesecond phase change material is solid in response to receiving a firstinstruction, comprising the period of time, from at least one of thestorage system, packaging of the storage system, written instructionsincluded with the storage system, and digital instructions associatedwith the storage system.

Several embodiments comprise receiving a first instruction and a secondinstruction from at least one of the storage system, packaging of thestorage system, written instructions included with the storage system,and digital instructions associated with the storage system; moving thestorage system to a second environment that is cooler than the first andsecond melting temperatures, and then, in response to the firstinstruction, moving the storage system to a third environment. The thirdenvironment can have a third temperature that is greater than the firstmelting temperature and less than the second melting temperature. Thefirst instruction can comprise a first recommended maximum time (e.g.,at least 3 hours and less than 24 hours) that the storage system can bein the second environment before being moved to the third environment.

Some embodiments comprise moving the storage system to a fourthenvironment that is warmer than the first and second meltingtemperatures, and then, in response to the second instruction, movingthe storage system to a fifth environment. The fifth environment canhave a fifth temperature greater than the first melting temperature andless than the second melting temperature. The second instruction cancomprise a second recommended maximum time (e.g., at least 3 hours andless than 24 hours) that the storage system can be in the fourthenvironment before being moved to the fifth environment.

The first environment, the third environment, and/or the fifthenvironment can be the same environment in the same location and/orbuilding. The first environment, the third environment, and/or the fifthenvironment can be different environments in different locations and/orin different buildings.

In several embodiments, the period of time is configured such that thefirst phase change material is liquid and the second phase changematerial is solid. Methods can include storing the storage system in anenvironment (having a temperature greater than the first meltingtemperature and less than the second melting temperature) until thefirst phase change material is liquid and the second phase changematerial is solid.

In some embodiments, maintaining an internal temperature that is closeto a melting temperature of a phase change material is enabled bycreating a system that can absorb and/or release heat as quickly as heatenters and/or leaves the storage system.

Embodiments can comprise configuring the storage system such that, afterbeing in a first air having a first air temperature of 100 degreesFahrenheit for one hour, a first rate at which a first heat enters thestorage system is within ten percent of a second rate at which a secondheat is absorbed by a first phase change of the second phase changematerial; and/or configuring the storage system such that, after beingin a second air having a second air temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheitfor one hour, a third rate at which a third heat leaves the storagesystem is within ten percent of a fourth rate at which a fourth heat isreleased by a second phase change of the first phase change material.These configuring elements can be performed by coupling a lid to aninsulated container such that a seal reduces heat transfer in and/or outof the storage system.

Storage systems can monitor an internal temperature and then send analert to the user in response to an internal temperature that isindicative of potential damage to the medicine (e.g., immediate damageor damage in the near future). A storage system can comprise athermometer configured to measure a temperature of an interior area ofthe insulated container; and a computing system configured to emit atleast one of a visual indicator and an audio indicator in response to atleast one of (1) the temperature falling below a predetermined minimumtemperature threshold, (2) the temperature rising above a predeterminedmaximum temperature threshold, (3) falling below a first predeterminedamount of time until the temperature is predicted to fall below thepredetermined minimum temperature threshold, and (4) falling below asecond predetermined amount of time until the temperature is predictedto rise above the predetermined maximum temperature threshold.

Several embodiments comprise moving the storage system to a secondenvironment that is cooler than the first and second meltingtemperatures, and then moving the storage system to a third environmentin response to a first alert emitted by the storage system in responseto at least one of (1) an interior temperature of an interior area ofthe storage system and (2) a duration over which the storage system hasbeen in the second environment. The third environment can have a thirdtemperature that is greater than the first melting temperature and lessthan the second melting temperature.

Some embodiments include moving the storage system to a fourthenvironment that is warmer than the first and second meltingtemperatures, and then moving the storage system to a fifth environmentin response to a second alert emitted by the storage system. The fifthenvironment can have a fifth temperature that is greater than the firstmelting temperature and less than the second melting temperature.

The first environment, the third environment, and/or the fifthenvironment can be the same environment in the same location and/orbuilding. The first environment, the third environment, and/or the fifthenvironment can be different environments in different locations and/orin different buildings.

Several embodiments include moving the storage system to a secondenvironment that is cooler than the first and second meltingtemperatures, and then moving the storage system to a third environmentin response to a first alert emitted by a remote computing device inresponse to at least one of (1) an interior temperature of an interiorarea of the storage system and (2) a duration over which the storagesystem has been in the second environment. The third environment canhave a third temperature that is greater than the first meltingtemperature and less than the second melting temperature.

Some embodiments include moving the storage system to a fourthenvironment that is warmer than the first and second meltingtemperatures, and then moving the storage system to a fifth environmentin response to a second alert emitted by the remote computing device.The fifth environment can have a fifth temperature that is greater thanthe first melting temperature and less than the second meltingtemperature.

Storage systems can send (e.g., directly or indirectly) temperatureinformation to remote computing devices (e.g., a smartphone, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a server). Several embodiments includemeasuring, by the storage system, an interior temperature of an interiorarea of the storage system, and/or receiving, by a remote computingdevice, an alert in response to the interior temperature falling below apredetermined minimum temperature threshold. Wireless communicationbetween the storage system and the remote computing device can beenabled by the Internet, cellular communication systems, wirelessnetworks, WiFi, Bluetooth, Low Energy Bluetooth, and/or any othersuitable systems or technologies.

Some embodiments comprise measuring a temperature of an interior area ofthe storage system; sending, wirelessly, temperature data comprising thetemperature to a remote computing device, and/or displaying, on theremote computing device, the temperature. For example, the remotecomputing device can display the temperature on a screen of the remotecomputing device.

A common challenge with emergency medicines is leaving them behind. Forexample, a person packing for a hike might forget to put her EpiPen inher backpack. Some embodiments include means to remind her that she hasleft her EpiPen behind. Systems can sense that she has left her EpiPenbehind by, for example, sensing a deteriorating communication strengthbetween the remote computing device and the storage system; knowing thelocation of the remote computing device (e.g., via GPS) and knowing thelocation of the storage system (e.g., via GPS); losing direct wirelesscommunication between the remote computing device and the storagesystem; and/or sensing that the storage system is communicativelycoupled to a wireless network of a building, but determining that theremote computing device is no longer communicatively coupled to thewireless network of the building.

Some embodiments comprise communicatively coupling the storage systemwith a first remote computing device via wireless communication (e.g.,Bluetooth, WiFi), and/or receiving, by the first remote computingdevice, a first alert in response to communicatively uncoupling thestorage system from the first remote computing device, wherein thecommunicatively uncoupling is in response to at least one of moving thefirst remote computing device away from the storage system and movingthe storage system away from the first remote computing device. Thefirst alert can cause the first remote computing device to displayinformation regarding the storage system. The information can be anotification that the storage system has been left behind, a location ofthe storage system, and/or a reminder to acquire the storage system.

Communicatively coupling does not have to comprise continuouscommunication. Many wireless communication protocols compriseintermittent communication. Communicatively coupling can comprise atleast one of intermittent communication and continuous communication.

Several embodiments comprise communicatively coupling a first remotecomputing device with a first wireless network; communicatively couplingthe storage system with the first wireless network; and receiving, bythe first remote computing device, a first alert in response tocommunicatively uncoupling the first remote computing device from thefirst wireless network while the storage system is communicativelycoupled to the first wireless network. For example, a storage system anda remote computing device can be communicatively coupled to a WiFinetwork of a building. Driving away from the building with the remotecomputing device (but without the storage system) can uncouple theremote computing device from the WiFi network while the storage systemis still communicatively coupled to the WiFi network.

Some embodiments comprise receiving, by a first remote computing device,a first alert in response to increasing a distance between the firstremote computing device and the storage system. For example, if a personwith the first remote computing device walks home from school whileleaving the storage system at school, the distance between the firstremote computing device and the storage system increases. The distancealso increases if the person walks home from school with her storagesystem while leaving the remote computing device at school.

Several embodiments comprise communicatively coupling the first remotecomputing device with the storage system (e.g., directly or indirectlyvia servers or other items).

Several embodiments comprise communicatively coupling the first remotecomputing device with a remote computer system, and communicativelycoupling the storage system with the remote computer system such thatthe remote computer system is configured to detect increasing thedistance between the first remote computing device and the storagesystem. The remote computer system can be a server or other computerthat is located remotely relative to both the storage system and theremote computing device.

Some embodiments comprise sending, by the first remote computing device,a second alert to a second remote computing device in response to thefirst remote computing device receiving the first alert. Sending, by thefirst remote computing device, to the second remote computing device canbe indirect or direct. For example, the first remote computing devicecan send the second alert to the second remote computing device viacellular systems, the Internet, telephonic systems, Bluetooth, WiFi,and/or any suitable systems.

In several embodiments, the first remote computing device is used by aperson, and the second remote computing device is used by a guardian ofthe person. Embodiments can comprise alerting the guardian of the personin response to increasing the distance between the first remotecomputing device and the storage system.

Some embodiments comprise receiving, by a first remote computing device,a first alert in response to increasing a distance between the firstremote computing device and the storage system such that the distance isgreater than a distance threshold. In several embodiments, the distancethreshold is at least 20 feet and/or less than 200 feet; at least 10feet and/or less than 500 feet; at least 50 feet and/or less than 600feet; at least 300 feet and/or less than 1,000 feet; and/or at least 20feet and/or less than 2,000 feet.

The circumstances surrounding an emergency in which a person needs themedicine in a storage system can be traumatic. For example, duringanaphylactic shock, a person may struggle to breathe. This situation cancause people, including family members and caregivers, to panic. In suchhigh-intensity emergencies, some people might not be able to thinkclearly enough or act quickly enough to find the storage system.Emitting sounds from a speaker of the storage system can help peoplequickly find the storage system during an emergency.

Some embodiments comprise coupling, communicatively, the storage systemto a remote computing device; sending, by the remote computing device, awireless communication to the storage system; receiving, by the storagesystem, the wireless communication; and/or emitting, in response toreceiving the wireless communication, a sound from the storage system.The sound can be configured to enable a person to find the storagesystem. The sounds can be at least 60 decibels, at least 75 decibels,and/or less than 140 decibels. The sound can comprise words, beeps,music, and/or any suitable noise.

Some embodiments comprise detecting, by the storage system, a firstsound; and emitting, by the storage system, a second sound in responseto detecting the first sound. The second sound can be configured toenable a person to find the storage system. The first sound can be aperson saying a keyword (e.g., “EpiPen”) that the storage systemrecognizes as indicating that the person wants the storage system toemit the second sound.

One advantage of some embodiments is they can automatically “reset”themselves to a first state without requiring electricity from a poweroutlet or batteries. (In the first state, the first phase changematerial is at least partially liquid and the second phase changematerial is at least partially solid.) As a result, the user does nothave to remember extra “steps” to get the storage system ready foranother period in hot or cold temperatures.

Some methods include obtaining a storage system comprising a phasechange system, a first insulated container configured to hold at least aportion of the phase change system, and a first chamber located withinthe first insulated container. The first chamber can be configured tohold the medicine. The phase change system can comprise a first phasechange material and a second phase change material. The first phasechange material can have a first melting temperature greater than 40degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phasechange material can have a second melting temperature greater than 74degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Embodiments cancomprise placing the medicine in the first chamber.

Several embodiments comprise placing the storage system in a first stateby storing the storage system for a period of time in a firstenvironment having a first temperature greater than the first meltingtemperature and less than the second melting temperature. In the firststate, the first phase change material is liquid and the second phasechange material is solid.

Several embodiments comprise placing the storage system in a secondstate by moving the storage system to a second environment having asecond temperature less than the first and second melting temperatures.In the second state, the first phase change material is at leastpartially solid (and/or completely solid) and the second phase changematerial is solid. Several embodiments comprise then resetting thestorage system to the first state by moving the storage system to athird environment having a third temperature greater than the firstmelting temperature and less than the second melting temperature.

Some embodiments comprise placing the storage system in a third state bymoving the storage system to a fourth environment having a fourthtemperature greater than the first and second melting temperatures. Inthe third state, the first phase change material is liquid and thesecond phase change material is at least partially liquid (and/orcompletely liquid). Some embodiments comprise then resetting the storagesystem to the first state by moving the storage system to a fifthenvironment having a fifth temperature greater than the first meltingtemperature and less than the second melting temperature.

Any of the embodiments described herein can be used with any medicine.Some embodiments are used to protect insulin from hot or coldtemperatures that could damage the insulin. Insulin is oftenrefrigerated, but freezing the insulin can ruin the insulin. Insulin cansometimes last for several weeks in a temperature between 59 degreesFahrenheit and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but insulin should not be storedat a temperature above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Many embodiments provideprotection against the danger of freezing insulin and provide protectionagainst the danger of the insulin's temperature rising above 86 degreesFahrenheit. In several embodiments, this protection may last until aphase change is complete.

Several embodiments comprise a phase change system having a first PCM(with a melting temperature greater than 59 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 74 degrees Fahrenheit) and a second PCM (with a melting temperaturegreater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 86 degrees Fahrenheit).These embodiments can guard against temperatures above and below typicalroom temperatures.

Some embodiments utilize unique phase change systems to create aninternal storage environment that is close to typical refrigerationtemperatures. These embodiments are sometimes stored in refrigerators to“reset” the phase change materials to a state in which a first phasechange material is liquid and a second phase change material is solid.In some embodiments, the melting temperature of the first phase changematerial is less than typical refrigeration temperatures and the meltingtemperature of the second phase change material is greater than typicalrefrigeration temperatures. As a result, the medicine storage system canprovide protection from temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g.,if the storage system is taken from the refrigerator into an environmentthat is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and can provide protection fromtemperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., if the storage system istaken from the refrigerator into an environment that is above 86 degreesFahrenheit).

Even though insulin is often stored in a refrigerator (for long-termstorage), insulin can be kept at room temperature for short periods oftime. Thus, some embodiments utilize unique phase change systems tocreate an internal storage environment that is close to typical roomtemperatures (rather than close to typical refrigerator temperatures).These embodiments are sometimes stored at room temperature to “reset”the phase change materials to a state in which a first phase changematerial is liquid and a second phase change material is solid.

As shown by many figures herein and/or incorporated by reference, amedicine storage system can be configured to protect a medicine from afirst external temperature less than a minimum recommended storagetemperature and from a second external temperature greater than amaximum recommended storage temperature by utilizing phase changes toregulate a temperature of the medicine. Medicine storage systems cancomprise an insulated container; a first chamber located inside theinsulated container, wherein the first chamber is configured to hold aremovable medicine container; and a phase change system comprising asecond chamber having a first phase change material and comprising athird chamber having a second phase change material. The phase changesystem can be located inside the insulated container. The first phasechange material can have a first melting temperature greater than 33degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phasechange material can have a second melting temperature less than 100degrees Fahrenheit, greater than the first melting temperature, and/orat least four degrees greater than the first melting temperature.

In some cases, refrigerators have a temperature of about 36 degreesFahrenheit to about 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the first meltingtemperature can be less than 36 degrees Fahrenheit and the secondmelting temperature can be greater than 46 degrees Fahrenheit such thatthe system comprises one liquid PCM and one frozen PCM regardless ofwhat the actual refrigerator temperature is within the range of 36degrees Fahrenheit to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The second meltingtemperature can be greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

As used herein, “refrigerator” is used in the ordinary sense to mean adevice that is used to keep things (such as food and drinks) cold.

Some medicine storage systems are stored in refrigerators to “reset” thePCMs. The first melting temperature can be less than 40 degreesFahrenheit, and the second melting temperature can be greater than 40degrees Fahrenheit such that the medicine storage system is configurablefor storage in a refrigerator, preventing the medicine from freezing,and preventing the medicine from becoming hotter than 100 degreesFahrenheit.

In some embodiments, the medicin storage system is configured to keepthe medicine well below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be especiallyadvantageous for insulin. The second melting temperature can be lessthan 65 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., to keep the medicine cool relative toan external environment that is greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit andto keep the medicine closer to typical refrigeration temperatures thanwould be the case with a second melting temperature between 74 degreesFahrenheit and 100 degrees Fahrenheit).

The removable medicine container can be located inside the firstchamber. The removable medicine container can comprise insulin,epinephrine, adrenaline, and/or any other medicine.

The insulated container can comprise an opening to the first chamber.The opening can be covered by a removable lid. The medicine storagesystem can be configured such that removing the lid enables a user toremove the medicine container from the first chamber.

As shown by many of the figures, the opening is not in fluidcommunication with the second chamber, and the first phase changematerial is fully enclosed by the second chamber such that removing thelid does not permit the first phase change material to spill out of themedicine storage system. The opening is not in fluid communication withthe third chamber, and the second phase change material is fullyenclosed by the third chamber such that removing the lid does not permitthe second phase change material to spill out of the medicine storagesystem.

In some embodiments the medicine storage system comprises a first vacuumchamber located between walls of the insulated container such that thefirst vacuum chamber insulates the insulated container. The insulatedcontainer can comprise an opening to the first chamber. The opening canbe covered by a removable lid. The medicine storage system can beconfigured such that removing the lid enables a user to remove themedicine container from the first chamber. The lid can comprise a secondvacuum chamber configured such that screwing the lid into the openingrotates the second vacuum chamber relative to the first chamber system.

The first chamber can comprise many different compartments. Eachcompartment can be configured to hold at least one medicine case (e.g.,an EpiPen, an insulin bottle, an insulin injection device, a plasticpill bottle, a container that holds medicine). For example, FIG. 17 ofU.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/849,884 (which isincorporated by reference herein) illustrates a medicine storage systemconfigured to hold more than one medicine 212. Each compartment can belabeled with patient information. For example, once a person removes alid of the storage system, paper labels (that are adhered to an interiorarea next to each compartment) can show the name of the patient to whomthe medicine belongs. This approach can be advantageous for schools thatprefer to use the particular medicine that belongs to a particular child(rather than a similar medicine that belongs to another child).

The compartments can form a matrix. For example, there can be severalrows and several columns of medicines separated by metal or plasticwalls. The insulated container can be a Yeti Tundra cooler made by YETICoolers LLC having an office in Austin, Tex. The first and second phasechange materials can be placed inside the cooler to providebidirectional temperature protection.

Methods of storing a medicine can comprise obtaining a medicine storagesystem comprising a phase change system, a first insulated containerconfigured to hold at least a portion of the phase change system, and afirst chamber located within the first insulated container. The firstchamber can be configured to hold the medicine. The phase change systemcan comprise a first phase change material and a second phase changematerial. The first phase change material can have a first meltingtemperature greater than 33 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degreesFahrenheit. (This 33 degree Fahrenheit cutoff can be advantageousbecause it is greater than the freezing temperature of insulin and lessthan typical temperatures of refrigerators. In some embodiments, thefirst phase change material can have a first melting temperature ofgreater than 33 degrees Fahrenheit plus or minus one or two degrees.)The second phase change material can have a second melting temperatureless than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and at least four degrees greater thanthe first melting temperature.

Several embodiments comprise placing the medicine in the first chamber,and storing the storage system for a period of time in a firstenvironment having a first temperature greater than the first meltingtemperature and less than the second melting temperature.

Some embodiments comprise protecting the medicine from a first externaltemperature less than the first melting temperature and from a secondexternal temperature greater than the second melting temperature byutilizing phase changes of the first phase change material and thesecond phase change material to regulate a temperature of the medicine.

In several embodiments, the first melting temperature is less than 40degrees Fahrenheit, and the second melting temperature is greater than40 degrees Fahrenheit. Methods can comprise storing the medicine storagesystem in a refrigerator such that the first phase change material isliquid and the second phase change material is solid.

Several methods of storing a medicine comprise obtaining a medicinestorage system comprising a phase change system, a first insulatedcontainer configured to hold at least a portion of the phase changesystem, and a first chamber located within the first insulatedcontainer. The first chamber can be configured to hold the medicine. Thephase change system can comprise a first phase change material and asecond phase change material. The first phase change material can have afirst melting temperature greater than 33 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have asecond melting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and lessthan 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some embodiments comprise placing the medicine in the first chamber, andplacing the storage system in a first state by storing the storagesystem in a first refrigerated area for a period of time. In the firststate, the first phase change material is liquid and the second phasechange material is solid.

Several embodiments comprise placing the storage system in a secondstate by moving the storage system to a second environment having asecond temperature less than the first and second melting temperatures,wherein in the second state the first phase change material is at leastpartially solid and the second phase change material is solid, and thenresetting the storage system to the first state by placing the storagesystem in a second refrigerated area.

Some embodiments comprise placing the storage system in a third state bymoving the storage system to a third environment having a thirdtemperature greater than the first and second melting temperatures,wherein in the third state the first phase change material is liquid andthe second phase change material is at least partially liquid, and thenresetting the storage system to the first state by placing the storagesystem in a third refrigerated area.

The first, second, and third refrigerated areas can be in differentrefrigerators. However, the first, second, and third refrigerated areascan do not have to be in different refrigerators. The first, second, andthird refrigerated areas can be the same area in a single refrigerator.

Referring now to FIG. 3, storage systems can include an outer case,which can be made of plastic, metal, insulation, and/or any suitablematerial. The storage system can include a vacuum chamber 708 (e.g., ina vacuum flask). The inner wall 710 can be a first flask. The outer wall712 can be a second flask. The first and second flasks can form a vacuumflask. The vacuum flask can be located inside the outer case such thatthe outer case can be configured to protect the vacuum flask from damagesuch as denting or cracking. The vacuum flask can comprise an inner wall710 and an outer wall 712 with a gas pressure between the inner wall andthe outer wall that is less than atmospheric pressure. In someembodiments, the pressure between the inner wall and the outer wall canbe less than 60% of atmospheric pressure, less than 40% of atmosphericpressure, or less than 20% of atmospheric pressure. The atmosphericpressure can be measured at sea level. The vacuum flask can include afirst flask placed inside a second flask. The first flask and the secondflask can be joined at the neck 722 such that the area between the firstflask and the second flask is hermetically sealed from the air outsideof the area between the first flask and the second flask. The vacuumflask can be made of metal, glass, foam, and/or plastic.

Many embodiments include a phase change system having multiple phasechange materials (e.g., one, two, three, four, or more phase changematerials with unique melting temperatures). The multiple phase changematerials can provide protection from temperatures above and below roomtemperatures. Thus, one system can shield medicine from temperaturevariations in both directions without requiring previous knowledge ofwhether a person will bring the storage system into hot or cold weather.

One way to build a storage system that resists temperature decreases andincreases is to include two phase change materials inside the thermalbank. The first phase change material can resist temperature decreasesdue to cold outside environments. The second phase change material canresist temperature increases due to hot outside environments.

The first phase change material can have a high heat of fusion to enablea relatively lightweight system that can still provide sufficientresistance to temperature changes. The first phase change material canrelease large amounts of heat before allowing the temperature inside thefirst chamber to decrease. For example, the first phase change materialcan release large amounts of heat (per gram of the material) as thematerial changes from a liquid to a solid. The melting temperature ofthe first phase change material can be less than 70 Fahrenheit (e.g.,just below room temperature) and greater than the minimum recommendedmedicine storage temperature.

For example, if a manufacturer of a medicine recommends a minimumstorage temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, then the first phasechange material can be selected with a melting temperature between 45degrees Fahrenheit and around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., below a roomtemperature). Thus, when a temperature inside the insulated containergoes below the melting point, the first phase change material releaseslarge amounts of heat before allowing the temperature inside the firstchamber to significantly decrease. As a result, the first phase changematerial dramatically prolongs the time required to decrease thetemperature inside the first chamber below the minimum storagetemperature.

This additional time can enable the medicine to remain outside muchlonger without reducing the efficacy of the medicine than would be thecase without the storage system. Moreover, the phase change enables thestorage system to be much more compact than would be the case with astorage system that only uses water to resist temperature changes (attemperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit).

The second phase change material of the storage system can resisttemperature increases due to hot outside environments. The second phasechange material can have a high heat of fusion and a melting temperaturethat is greater than room temperature and less than the maximumrecommended medicine storage temperature. For example, if the maximumrecommended storage temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit, then in someembodiments, the second phase change material can have a meltingtemperature between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.Thus, the second phase change material can absorb a large amount of heat(to melt) before the second phase change material would allow thetemperature inside the storage system to increase significantly abovethe melting temperature of the second phase change material.

The rate of heat transfer between the outside environment 30 and thefirst chamber (e.g., the void 154) is reduced by reducing thetemperature difference between the outside environment and the thermalbank 140 (during melting or solidifying). Thus, phase change materialscan be selected that have a melting point near the minimum storagetemperature (e.g., without being less than the minimum storagetemperature) or near the maximum storage temperature (e.g., withoutbeing greater than the maximum storage temperature). (The minimum andmaximum storage temperatures can be recommended by the manufacturer ofthe medicine and are often included with literature provided with themedicine.) “Near the minimum” or “near the maximum” can be within 10degrees Fahrenheit.

Many different materials can be suitable phase change materials as longas the materials have a melting temperature within the target range (asexplained above). Entropy Solutions, Inc. has an office in Plymouth,Minnesota and provides a wide range of suitable phase change materialsunder the brand name PureTemp. Climator Sweden AB sells a wide range ofphase change materials under the brand name ClimSel. Examples of phasechange materials include sodium sulfate, trimethylolethane combined withwater, Mn(NO3)2*6H2O+MnCl2*4H2O, NaCl*Na2SO4*10H2O, paraffin 16-carbons,and paraffin 18-carbons.

In several embodiments, phase change materials spontaneously melt and/orsolidify in response to temperature (without requiring an additionalactivation step). For example, just a drop in temperature below amelting temperature can cause a spontaneous phase change material tofreeze. Just a rise in temperature above a melting temperature can causea spontaneous phase change material to solidify.

The phase change materials are not the only part of the system thatreduces the rate of temperature change inside the first chamber (e.g.,the void 154). An insulated container can reduce the rate of heattransfer. Some embodiments include a vacuum flask. Thermos L.L.C.manufactures a wide range of vacuum flasks. The vacuum is a type ofinsulation.

Walls of vacuum flasks can be made of glass, stainless steel, or anyother suitable material. Many components can be molded plastic.

Insulated containers can have rigid walls or compliant, flexible walls.For example, the insulated container can be a steel Thermos or aninsulated, fabric pouch.

Storage systems can use many different types of insulation includingmulti-layer insulation, closed-cell insulation, closed-cell foaminsulation, rubber foam insulation, nitrile rubber foam insulation,nitrile butadiene rubber insulation, polyurethane insulation, reflectivefoil layers, injected insulation, rigid insulation, flexible insulation,and/or vacuum insulation.

Some embodiments use a first vacuum flask inside a second vacuum flaskto form a dual-vacuum layer system. The flask can include reflectivewalls to reduce heat transfer by radiation.

In several embodiments, the interior of the vacuum flask is cylindrical.The chambers that hold the phase change system plus the first chambercan form a cylindrical shape that is tailored to the interior of thevacuum flask. The phase change system can have a compliant externalhousing with an outer diameter that is larger than the diameter of anopening to the vacuum flask. The compliant external housing (e.g., acompliant perimeter) can enable pressing the phase change system intothe vacuum flask in spite of the outer diameter of the external housingbeing larger than the diameter of the opening to the vacuum flask.

In several embodiments, storage systems include an insulated containercomprising a base and an opening configurable to enable removing amedicine from inside the insulated container; a first chamber locatedinside the insulated container, wherein the first chamber is configuredto hold the medicine; a first phase change material located inside theinsulated container; and/or a second phase change material locatedinside the insulated container.

In some embodiments, the first phase change material can have a firstmelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase change material can have a secondmelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit. The first melting temperature can be at least fourdegrees Fahrenheit less than the second melting temperature. Forexample, 74 degrees Fahrenheit can be approximately equal to a typicalroom temperature (although room temperatures commonly vary in roomshaving temperature controlled environments enabled by heating and/or airconditioning).

Using a “temperature dividing line” of 74 degrees Fahrenheit helpsenable some embodiments to avoid inappropriately triggering meltingand/or freezing while the storage system is located in a temperaturecontrolled room. Imagine if the second phase change material had amelting temperature of less than 74 degrees. As a result, the secondphase change material could completely melt before a person even movedthe storage system from a room temperature into a hot environment thatis warmer than a maximum recommended storage temperature of themedicine. In this case the phase change of the second phase changematerial would not help reduce the rate of temperature rise inside thefirst chamber in response to heat transfer caused by the hotenvironment. Similarly, this “temperature dividing line” helps ensurethat the first phase change material will have a sufficiently lowmelting temperature such that the first phase change material should notsolidify before the storage system is moved from a room temperature toan environment that is colder than a minimum recommended storagetemperature.

The “temperature dividing line” can vary based on what medicine thestorage system will hold. For example, some medicine manufacturersrecommend refrigerating certain medicines. In several embodiments, thetemperature dividing line is 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, the firstphase change material can have a melting temperature above 0 degreesFahrenheit and/or below 36 degrees Fahrenheit. The second phase changematerial can have a melting temperature above 36 degrees Fahrenheitand/or below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

A “target temperature” can be a “temperature dividing line.” In severalembodiments, the target temperature can be 74 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g.,when the manufacturer recommends storing a medicine at roomtemperature). In several embodiments, the target temperature can be 36degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., when the manufacturer recommends refrigeratinga medicine).

In some embodiments, the storage system is configured to cause the firstphase change material to solidify when a first temperature of the firstchamber falls below the first melting temperature, and/or the storagesystem is configured to cause the second phase change material to meltwhen the first temperature of the first chamber rises above the secondmelting temperature. As a result, the storage system can be configuredto temporarily protect the medicine from a first environment that iscolder than a safe minimum storage temperature and/or from a secondenvironment that is hotter than a safe maximum storage temperature.Manufacturers of medicines can recommend minimum storage temperaturesand/or maximum storage temperatures for medicines.

In several embodiments, the first phase change material has a firstlatent heat of at least 40 kJ/kg, and/or the second phase changematerial has a second latent heat of at least 40 kJ/kg. In someembodiments, the first phase change material has a first latent heat ofat least 110 kJ/kg, and/or the second phase change material has a secondlatent heat of at least 110 kJ/kg. In several embodiments, the firstphase change material has a first latent heat of at least 180 kJ/kg,and/or the second phase change material has a second latent heat of atleast 180 kJ/kg. These latent heat properties can dramatically reducethe necessary size of the phase change materials, which enablesdramatically reducing the overall volume of the storage system.

The chambers of a storage system can include different phase chambermaterials. The phase change system can have more than two meltingtemperatures. In some embodiments, a second chamber contains a firstphase change material having a first melting temperature; a thirdchamber contains a second phase change material having a second meltingtemperature; a fourth chamber contains a third phase change materialhaving a third melting temperature; and a fifth chamber contains afourth phase change material having a fourth melting temperature. Thefirst and second melting temperatures can be less than a targettemperature (e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit), and the first meltingtemperature can be less than (e.g., at least 3 degrees Fahrenheit lessthan) the second melting temperature. The third and fourth meltingtemperatures can be greater than the target temperature, and the thirdmelting temperature can be less than (e.g., at least 3 degreesFahrenheit less than) the fourth melting temperature.

A phase change system with more than two melting temperatures canprovide additional temperature protection reliability. For example, athird phase change material can protect against temperatures that arejust slightly above a target temperature (e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit,36 degrees Fahrenheit). Thus, the system can protect against even minortemperature variations above the target temperature. However, phasechange materials that protect against temperatures that are justslightly above a target temperature are susceptible to changing phasewhile the storage system is located indoors.

For example, a manufacturer can recommend a maximum EpiPen storagetemperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, which is very close to typicalroom temperatures. The phase change system can include a third phasechange material with a melting temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Ifthe storage system is kept in a room that is below 76 degrees Fahrenheitfor at least enough time for the third phase change material tosolidify, then once the storage system is moved into an outdoorenvironment that is 79 degrees Fahrenheit, the third phase changematerial will begin protecting the EpiPen from the outdoor environmentthat is 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, if the storage system is kept in a room that is 78 degreesFahrenheit for at least enough time for the third phase change materialto melt, then once the storage system is moved into an outdoorenvironment that is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the third phase changematerial will fail to protect the EpiPen from the outdoor environmentthat is 80 degrees Fahrenheit (because the phase change will haveoccurred before the storage system reaches the outdoor environment). Inthis case, having a fourth phase change material can be helpful. Thefourth phase change material can have a fourth melting temperature thatis not as close to typical room temperatures. For example, the fourthmelting temperature can be 82 degrees Fahrenheit, which is typicallyhigher than room temperatures. Thus, the fourth phase change materialwould not be melting while kept in a room that is 78 degrees Fahrenheitfor at least enough time for the third phase change material to melt.Then, once the storage system is moved into an outdoor environment thatis 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the fourth phase change material will protectthe EpiPen from the outdoor environment that is 80 degrees Fahrenheit(by melting).

A manufacturer of a medicine can recommend a minimum storage temperatureand a maximum storage temperature for the medicine. In some embodiments,the storage system includes a first phase change material with a firstmelting temperature that is lower than the target temperature and lowerthan the minimum storage temperature; the storage system includes asecond phase change material with a second melting temperature that islower than the target temperature, higher than the minimum storagetemperature, and higher than the first melting temperature; the storagesystem includes a fourth phase change material with a fourth meltingtemperature that is higher than the target temperature and higher thanthe maximum storage temperature; and/or the storage system includes athird phase change material with a third melting temperature that ishigher than the target temperature, lower than the maximum storagetemperature, and lower than the fourth melting temperature.

Several phase change system embodiments include two different meltingtemperatures below a target temperature (e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit)and one melting temperature above the target temperature. Some phasechange system embodiments include two different melting temperaturesabove a target temperature (e.g., 74 degrees Fahrenheit) and one meltingtemperature below the target temperature.

If a difference between a target temperature and an expected coldoutdoor temperature is greater than a difference between the targettemperature and an expected hot outdoor temperature, then the phasechange system can include two different melting temperatures below thetarget temperature and one melting temperature above the targettemperature.

If a difference between a target temperature and an expected hot outdoortemperature is greater than a difference between the target temperatureand an expected cold outdoor temperature, then the phase change systemcan include two different melting temperatures above the targettemperature and one melting temperature below the target temperature.

The expected cold outdoor temperature is less than the targettemperature. The expected hot outdoor temperature is greater than thetarget temperature. The expected cold outdoor temperature can be themaximum expected cold outdoor temperature. The expected hot outdoortemperature can be the maximum expected hot outdoor temperature.

A manufacturer of a medicine can recommend a minimum storage temperatureand a maximum storage temperature for the medicine. If a differencebetween a target temperature and the minimum storage temperature isgreater than a difference between the target temperature and the maximumstorage temperature, then the phase change system can include twodifferent melting temperatures below the target temperature and onemelting temperature above the target temperature.

If a difference between a target temperature and the maximum storagetemperature is greater than a difference between the target temperatureand the minimum storage temperature, then the phase change system caninclude two different melting temperatures above the target temperatureand one melting temperature below the target temperature.

If a difference between the minimum storage temperature and the expectedcold outdoor temperature is greater than a difference between themaximum storage temperature and the expected hot outdoor temperature,then the phase change system can include two different meltingtemperatures below the target temperature and one melting temperatureabove the target temperature.

If a difference between the maximum storage temperature and the expectedhot outdoor temperature is greater than a difference between the minimumstorage temperature and the expected cold outdoor temperature, then thephase change system can include two different melting temperatures abovethe target temperature and one melting temperature below the targettemperature.

Any of the storage systems shown in the figures, described herein,and/or incorporated by reference can be configured according to thetemperature information above and according to the phase change materialinformation described above.

Any of the storage systems shown in the figures, described herein, orincorporated by reference can include three, four, or more phase changematerials (e.g., each with different melting temperatures). The chambersdescribed herein can be subdivided into additional chambers by walls tohold phase change materials with different melting temperatures.

In some embodiments in which a first phase change material has a meltingtemperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degreesFahrenheit, the phase change material comprises at least one of PureTemp6, PureTemp 15, PureTemp 18, and PureTemp 20 made by Entropy Solutions,Inc., which has an office in Plymouth, Minnesota. In some embodimentswhere a first phase change material has a melting temperature greaterthan 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, thephase change material comprises at least one of Paraffin 14-Carbons,Paraffin 15-Carbons, and Paraffin 16-Carbons.

In some embodiments in which a second phase change material has amelting temperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit, the phase change material comprises at least one ofPureTemp 25, PureTemp 27, PureTemp 28, PureTemp 29, and PureTemp 35 madeby Entropy Solutions, Inc., which has an office in Plymouth, Minnesota.In some embodiments where a second phase change material has a meltingtemperature greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degreesFahrenheit, the phase change material comprises at least one of Paraffin18-Carbons, Paraffin 19-Carbons, and Paraffin 20-Carbons.

In some embodiments in which a first phase change material has a meltingtemperature greater than 28 degrees Fahrenheit, greater than 30 degreesFahrenheit, greater than 32 degrees Fahrenheit, greater than 33 degreesFahrenheit, greater than 34 degrees Fahrenheit, less than 40 degreesFahrenheit, and/or less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, the phase changematerial comprises at least one of PureTemp −2, PureTemp 1, PureTemp 4.In some embodiments in which a second phase change material has amelting temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100degrees Fahrenheit, the phase change material comprises at least one ofPureTemp 6, PureTemp 8, PureTemp 18, PureTemp 29, and PureTemp 35.

Many embodiments are described herein and/or incorporated by referenceto communicate a vast number of features and methods. Describing all ofthe features and methods in every embodiment would lead to unnecessaryredundancy. Each of the features and methods described herein and/orincorporated by reference can be included in each of the embodimentsdescribed herein and/or incorporated by reference. Thus, elements of oneembodiment can be combined with elements of other embodiments.

Many embodiments described herein and/or incorporated by referencegreatly benefit people by enabling them to take theirtemperature-sensitive medicines outdoors (even in hot or cold weather).Rather than risk being without their medicine (by leaving their medicinebehind when going outdoors), the specially constructed storage systemsdescribed herein and/or incorporated by reference can protect medicinesfrom damage due to hot and cold weather without requiring the bulkystructures or expensive components of traditional refrigerators.

Interpretation

None of the steps described herein and/or incorporated by reference isessential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted ormodified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any ofthe steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed orillustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in thisspecification can be combined or used with or instead of any otherportion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devicesdisclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, orexample. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intendedto be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting.The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the fullscope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headingsand subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” mayinclude embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodimentsdescribed in other sections may apply to and be combined withembodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.

Some of the devices, systems, embodiments, and processes use computers.Each of the routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described inthe preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partiallyautomated by, code modules executed by one or more computers, computerprocessors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions. Thecode modules may be stored on any type of non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device,such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disc,and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implementedpartially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results ofthe disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently orotherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g.,volatile or non-volatile storage.

The various features and processes described above may be usedindependently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. Allpossible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state,or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods,steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to anyparticular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating theretocan be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example,described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than theorder specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a singleblock or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial,in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to orremoved from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems andcomponents described herein may be configured differently thandescribed. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, orrearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,”“might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orsteps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,”“including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are usedinclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additionalelements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or”is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so thatwhen used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or”means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctivelanguage such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the contextas used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X,Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended toimply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least oneof Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or”applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced withA, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in anothersentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A andB, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include Band C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can includeonly B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodimentsinclude A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessaryredundancy.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodimentshave been presented by way of example only, and are not intended tolimit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in theforegoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature,characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable.Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodiedin a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions,substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systemsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions disclosed herein.

We claim:
 1. A medicine storage system configured to protect a medicinefrom a first external temperature less than a minimum recommendedstorage temperature and from a second external temperature greater thana maximum recommended storage temperature by utilizing phase changes toregulate a temperature of the medicine, the medicine storage systemcomprising: an insulated container; a first chamber located inside theinsulated container, wherein the first chamber is configured to hold aremovable medicine container; and a phase change system comprising asecond chamber having a first phase change material and comprising athird chamber having a second phase change material, wherein the phasechange system is located inside the insulated container, wherein thefirst phase change material has a first melting temperature greater than33 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and thesecond phase change material has a second melting temperature less than100 degrees Fahrenheit and at least four degrees greater than the firstmelting temperature.
 2. The medicine storage system of claim 1, whereinthe second melting temperature is greater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit. 3.The medicine storage system of claim 1, wherein the first meltingtemperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second meltingtemperature is greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit such that the medicinestorage system is configurable for storage in a refrigerator, preventingthe medicine from freezing, and preventing the medicine from becominghotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
 4. The medicine storage system ofclaim 3, wherein the second melting temperature is less than 65 degreesFahrenheit.
 5. The medicine storage system of claim 1, wherein theremovable medicine container is located inside the first chamber, andthe removable medicine container comprises insulin.
 6. The medicinestorage system of claim 1, wherein the removable medicine container islocated inside the first chamber, and the removable medicine containercomprises at least one of epinephrine and adrenaline.
 7. The medicinestorage system of claim 1, wherein the insulated container comprises anopening to the first chamber, the opening is covered by a removable lid,and the medicine storage system is configured such that removing the lidenables a user to remove the medicine container from the first chamber,wherein the opening is not in fluid communication with the secondchamber, and the first phase change material is fully enclosed by thesecond chamber such that removing the lid does not permit the firstphase change material to spill out of the medicine storage system, andthe opening is not in fluid communication with the third chamber, andthe second phase change material is fully enclosed by the third chambersuch that removing the lid does not permit the second phase changematerial to spill out of the medicine storage system.
 8. The medicinestorage system of claim 1, further comprising a first vacuum chamberlocated between walls of the insulated container such that the firstvacuum chamber insulates the insulated container.
 9. The medicinestorage system of claim 8, wherein the insulated container comprises anopening to the first chamber, the opening is covered by a removable lid,and the medicine storage system is configured such that removing the lidenables a user to remove the medicine container from the first chamber,and wherein the lid comprises a second vacuum chamber configured suchthat screwing the lid into the opening rotates the second vacuum chamberrelative to the first chamber system.
 10. The medicine storage system ofclaim 1, further comprising a liner located in the first chamber,wherein the liner surrounds at least a majority of the removablemedicine container, the liner is made from a first material, and thefirst chamber is made from a second material that is at least two timesharder than the first material as measured on the Brinell scale.
 11. Themedicine storage system of claim 1, wherein the insulated containercomprises an opening to the first chamber, the opening is covered by aremovable lid, and the medicine storage system is configured such thatremoving the lid enables a user to remove the medicine container fromthe first chamber, the medicine storage system further comprising afirst seal located between the lid and the opening such that the firstseal is configured to block fluid from entering the first chamber tokeep the medicine container dry, and the first seal is configured toreduce heat transfer from an internal portion of the medicine storagesystem to an area outside the medicine storage system.
 12. The medicinestorage system of claim 11, wherein the lid is coupled to the insulatedcontainer by screw threads, and the first seal is compressed byinserting a portion of the lid into the opening such that the first sealis compressed between the portion of the lid and a radially inwardprotrusion of the opening.
 13. The medicine storage system of claim 1,wherein the first chamber comprises at least ten compartments, whereinthe compartments are configured to hold at least one medicine case. 14.The medicine storage system of claim 13, wherein the compartments form amatrix, and at least some of the compartments are labeled with patientinformation.
 15. The medicine storage system of claim 1, wherein thefirst melting temperature of the first phase change material is greaterthan 59 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and thesecond melting temperature of the second phase change material isgreater than 74 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 86 degrees Fahrenheit.16. A method of storing a medicine, the method comprising: obtaining amedicine storage system comprising a phase change system, a firstinsulated container configured to hold at least a portion of the phasechange system, and a first chamber located within the first insulatedcontainer, wherein the first chamber is configured to hold the medicine,and wherein the phase change system comprises a first phase changematerial and a second phase change material, the first phase changematerial having a first melting temperature greater than 33 degreesFahrenheit and less than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second phasechange material having a second melting temperature less than 100degrees Fahrenheit and at least four degrees greater than the firstmelting temperature; placing the medicine in the first chamber; storingthe storage system for a period of time in a first environment having afirst temperature greater than the first melting temperature and lessthan the second melting temperature; and protecting the medicine from afirst external temperature less than the first melting temperature andfrom a second external temperature greater than the second meltingtemperature by utilizing phase changes of the first phase changematerial and the second phase change material to regulate a temperatureof the medicine.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first meltingtemperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the second meltingtemperature is greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the method furthercomprising storing the medicine storage system in a refrigerator suchthat the first phase change material is liquid and the second phasechange material is solid.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprisingstoring the storage system in the first environment until the firstphase change material is liquid and the second phase change material issolid in response to receiving a first instruction, comprising theperiod of time, from at least one of the storage system, packaging ofthe storage system, written instructions included with the storagesystem, and digital instructions associated with the storage system. 19.The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a first instructionand a second instruction from at least one of the storage system,packaging of the storage system, written instructions included with thestorage system, and digital instructions associated with the storagesystem, moving the storage system to a second environment that is coolerthan the first and second melting temperatures, and then, in response tothe first instruction, moving the storage system to a third environment,wherein the third environment has a third temperature that is greaterthan the first melting temperature and less than the second meltingtemperature, and the first instruction comprises a first recommendedmaximum time that the storage system can be in the second environmentbefore being moved to the third environment, the method furthercomprising moving the storage system to a fourth environment that iswarmer than the first and second melting temperatures, and then, inresponse to the second instruction, moving the storage system to a fifthenvironment, wherein the fifth environment has a fifth temperaturegreater than the first melting temperature and less than the secondmelting temperature, and the second instruction comprises a secondrecommended maximum time that the storage system can be in the fourthenvironment before being moved to the fifth environment.
 20. A method ofstoring a medicine, the method comprising: obtaining a medicine storagesystem comprising a phase change system, a first insulated containerconfigured to hold at least a portion of the phase change system, and afirst chamber located within the first insulated container, wherein thefirst chamber is configured to hold the medicine, and wherein the phasechange system comprises a first phase change material and a second phasechange material, the first phase change material having a first meltingtemperature greater than 33 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 40 degreesFahrenheit, and the second phase change material having a second meltingtemperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 100 degreesFahrenheit; placing the medicine in the first chamber; placing thestorage system in a first state by storing the storage system in a firstrefrigerated area for a period of time, wherein in the first state thefirst phase change material is liquid and the second phase changematerial is solid; placing the storage system in a second state bymoving the storage system to a second environment having a secondtemperature less than the first and second melting temperatures, whereinin the second state the first phase change material is at leastpartially solid and the second phase change material is solid, and thenresetting the storage system to the first state by placing the storagesystem in a second refrigerated area; and placing the storage system ina third state by moving the storage system to a third environment havinga third temperature greater than the first and second meltingtemperatures, wherein in the third state the first phase change materialis liquid and the second phase change material is at least partiallyliquid, and then resetting the storage system to the first state byplacing the storage system in a third refrigerated area.
 21. The methodof claim 20, wherein the first, second, and third refrigerated areas arelocated in a single refrigerator.